Red-breasted Merganser Bird Details
Mergus serrator
Red-breasted Merganser,Sawbill, Fish Duck, Shelduck;
Laal-Chaati Koormachalee
Linnaeus, 1758
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Mergus
Appearance :
The male has a dark green head, red eyes, and a distinctive crest. The neck has a reddish-brown band. The female is gray with a reddish-brown head, lacking the male's distinct color bands but having a shaggy crest. They have thin, serrated red bills, which are well-adapted for catching fish.
Behaviour :
These birds are typically social and often seen in small groups or flocks, especially during migration. They are usually more solitary or found in pairs during breeding season.
Habitat :
They inhabit coastal waters, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and sheltered marine environments. They are found mostly in freshwater or brackish water during breeding and coastal saltwater in winter.
Diet :
The Red-breasted Merganser is primarily a piscivore, meaning its diet consists mainly of fish. It may also consume aquatic insects, crustaceans, and amphibians occasionally.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Population Size :
Estimated to have a global population of 300,000–800,000 individuals.
Life Span :
On average, they can live up to 10 years.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: Sleek, elongated body adapted for diving. Males are more colorful, while females have a more subdued appearance. Both have thin, serrated bills that are specialized for catching fish.
- Tarsus Length: The average tarsus (leg) length is about 3.9 cm (1.5 inches).
Head And Bill :
- Head: The male has a dark, glossy green head with a distinct spiky crest. Females have a reddish-brown head with a similar, less pronounced crest.
- Eyes: Both males and females have red eyes.
- Bill: The bill is long, thin, and serrated (saw-edged), aiding in gripping fish. The male's bill is bright red, while the female’s is duller.
- Bill Length: The bill length is about 4.1–4.9 cm (1.6–1.9 inches).
Length :
The total body length is between 52–58 cm (20–23 inches).
Neck :
The neck is slender, elongated, and prominent, giving the bird an elegant look when swimming.
Size :
Medium-sized diving duck.
Tail Details :
- Tail: The tail is short and pointed.
- Tail Length: The tail measures around 9.5 cm (3.7 inches).
- Feathers: The plumage varies between males and females. Males have dark, glossy green heads, white necks with a reddish-brown band, and black and white body plumage. Females are grayish-brown with a duller reddish head. Both sexes have a ragged crest of feathers on the back of the head.
Weight :
The weight ranges between 0.9 to 1.5 kg (2 to 3.3 pounds).
Wing :
The wings are long and pointed, adapted for fast, agile flight over water.
Wing Span :
The wingspan is between 70–86 cm (27.5–34 inches).
Facial Feature :
Both males and females have slender, pointed, serrated bills. Males have a dark green head with a spiky crest, while females have a reddish-brown head and crest. Both sexes have red eyes.
Nest Details :
- Nest: The Red-breasted Merganser typically nests on the ground, often hidden in dense vegetation, close to water (freshwater lakes, rivers, or coastal areas). Sometimes, they use cavities in rocks or small cliffs for nesting.
- Nest Made Up Of: The nest is made of grasses, moss, leaves, and is lined with down feathers from the female’s body to keep the eggs warm.
Breeding Season :
Red-breasted Mergansers breed during the spring and early summer, usually from May to July.
Nesting Season :
The nesting season coincides with the breeding period, typically from May to July.
Egg Color :
The eggs are cream to pale olive in color.
Egg Length :
The average egg length is about 61–70 mm (2.4–2.8 inches).
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: The width is around 44–49 mm (1.7–1.9 inches).
- Egg Weight: The average weight of an egg is around 65 grams (2.3 oz).
Clutch Size :
Typically, a clutch consists of 7–10 eggs. However, clutch sizes can vary from 6–12 eggs.
No. of Broods :
One brood per year is typical, though if the first clutch is lost, they may attempt a second.
Incubation Period :
The incubation lasts for approximately 29–35 days
Nestling Period :
Full fledging occurs after 60–65 days.
Vocalization :
Red-breasted Mergansers are generally quiet birds. They produce soft grunts or croaking sounds during courtship or when alarmed. Males can produce a low “raaa” sound, and females make a higher-pitched “grrr” sound.
Sex Demorphism :
Male has Dark green head, white collar, reddish-brown chest, and black and white body. Female is more uniformly gray-brown with a reddish-brown head, without the distinctive male's color bands.
Migration Details :
- Migration Pattern: Red-breasted Mergansers are migratory. They breed in northern temperate and Arctic regions and migrate southward to milder climates for the winter. They often migrate in small groups.
- Migration Period: Migration occurs in late fall (October to December) as they leave breeding grounds. They return in spring (March to May) to breed.
- Migration Route: In North America, they breed in Canada and Alaska and migrate south to the United States' Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Gulf of Mexico, and inland water bodies. In Europe and Asia, they breed in Scandinavia, Russia, and northern Europe and migrate to southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of East Asia.
- Reasons for Migration: Migration is driven by food availability and climate. As waters in the northern breeding grounds freeze, they migrate southwards to find open water where they can continue to hunt for fish.