Fauna Flora Photography

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

A large duck of rivers and lakes. This species dives to catch food which is mainly small fishes, crustaceans and aquatic insects and frogs. They build their nest on the ground near water. The bird winters more South, along coastal areas.

Specs

Length51-63cm
Weight550-1000g
Wingspan76-89cm

Common Names

GermanMittelsäger
EnglishRed-breasted Merganser
FrenchHarle huppé
SpanishSerreta mediana

Taxonomy

OrderAnseriformes
FamilyAnatidae
SpeciesMergus serrator

How to Identify

This species is very similar in appearance to the Common Merganser. The distinctive characteristic is the color of the neck and breast which isn’t white.

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) - Parc Angrignon - 2017-04-29
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) - Parc Angrignon - 2016-04-17

Where and When to Spot

I observe this bird in Rapids Park Lachine and occasionally in the large pond of Park Angrignon.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Parc de la Frayère - x - -
Parc des Rapides - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.