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Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

Audubon Illustration

Audubon illustration of Common Merganser

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

Migration Flyway

Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species

Last Spotted Near You

View on eBirdWikipedia

About the Common Merganser

The common merganser or goosander (Mergus merganser) is a large sea duck of rivers and lakes in forested areas of Europe, Asia, and North America. The common merganser eats mainly fish. It nests in holes in trees. The name "common merganser" is used in North America, while "goosander" is used in Eurasia.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Mergus merganser
Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Order
Anseriformes

Similar species

Other members of the ducks, geese, and waterfowl family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • American Black Duck Anas rubripes
  • American Wigeon Mareca americana
  • Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
  • Baikal Teal Sibirionetta formosa
  • Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
  • Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
  • Black Scoter Melanitta americana
  • Black Swan Cygnus atratus
  • Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
  • Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus
  • Blue-billed Teal Spatula hottentota

Know when the Common Merganser turns up near you

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Gear for spotting Common Merganser

Optics

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Cameras for Bird Photography

From phone adapters to dedicated rigs, here's what actually works for capturing birds in the field.

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Optics

Spotting Scopes for Distance Birding

Essential for shorebirds, raptors, and anything too far for binoculars. Our tested picks.

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