My favorite duck. Thanks for featuring him. Every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning, I mumble, "Merganser" in passing. Lovely photos, James.
I did know the Canvasback was among the fastest ducks, but I sure didn't know its top recorded speed placed it second!
Thanks for the mention, James! I learned to become sick of Red-breasted Mergansers one winter in Michigan when they were pretty much 98% of the ducks I saw. They're uncommon on the rivers of Pittsburgh, but I remedied that by going to Lake Erie this winter and seeing 2000 of them at one time.
Putting it as "learned to become sick of Red-breasted Mergansers" is so apt, Nate. They have a way of removing their own allure with predictable and unrelenting abundance, but now I've learned not to be sick of them. 2000 at Lake Erie sounds amazing!
Your favorite duck does also haul ass, another reason to love a Canvasback.
"It’s a saltier duck." I chuckled at this line. Yes indeed, the first thing I noticed upon opening this in my inbox was the hairdo. I love that their bills are serrated! What a convenient development for their species. I look forward to the day I know enough about certain ducks to make talk at a cocktail party, I will have you to thank for that!
Thank you, Emma. They are saltier ducks in general, but duck hunters have come to malign the fishy, I'd guess salty, taste of this bird's flesh. I do plan to keep sharing duck facts for cocktail parties--an easy way to steal the show, and an easy way to weed out conversationalists not wort your time. "Not interested in ducks? On your way then, they're all I talk about."
Thank you Thomas! Definitely head to the salt when you get the chance for these in the winter. Maybe Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge? I assume you've been there already. If you can't tell, I googled saltwater birding spots in New Jersey.
I chuckled when I began reading this essay… because just as I opened the post, my first thought was “oh, he’s got the ‘I just got up from my nap, bed head !” And there, you were, writing about the same metaphor. 😆
I love the shot where his head is turned into the sunlight, and you can truly see how green it is.
I don’t see this type as it here, but I’ve caught a quick glimpse of the common merganser a few times on the lake.
Thank you Teyani! The green head often just looks black, so it's nice to get a shot of the bird where it clearly looks green. They're handsome, but Common Mergs are handsome too and I don't see them nearly as much as serrator, so enjoy your lake sightings!
Thank you, James. A rave review for the Red-breasted Merganser. As a group, the Mergansers really have a corner on the market for hair. I especially like your photo of the reflection and drop of water off the beak. Great photography and field guide.
"Mergansers really have a corner on the market for hair." So true, Heidi! That made me laugh. Thank you for the kind words about the photos. Figured you and the Critters covered the Common Merganser, the Red-breasted needed some attention!
It's really an incredible synchronicity as I saw the scout female Common Merganser the day you posted this.:) I even got a blurry video of her taking flight from the pond.
Lovely photos. I've always loved Red-breasted Mergansers, especially the males in full breeding plumage, quite spectacular birds and not that common around Edinburgh, though they do sometimes show up on our east coast.
Bravo, red-breasted mergs! Seeing them cruising on the ocean is reassuring—dependable colleagues at sea. The others come and go, but the presence of mergs means a healthy ocean.
On lakes, common merg hens tending a half dozen chicks, softly clucking, is a joy to behold.
Yes on a lake in NH. We would paddle out looking for loons and found hen and chick mergs working a shoreline better. They don't follow Mom like puddle ducks. More like a mob taking turns in the lead and diving.
Thank you very much. Sometimes you get so used to a bird you feel less excited by it, but then one day it hits you: My god, look at that beautiful thing.
Totally, I only started looking at birds about 6-7 years ago because the girl who is now my wife was very passionate about them. I did without much interest at first but now I watch BBC and National geographic and even bring binoculars when we walk the dogs😊. They're such beautiful animals
Great information, James. They are a really striking duck. I have never seen a male Red-breasted Merganser. We had a female one that was in the area for awhile last year. After learning that serrator name, definitely makes sense after I saw a her bill. Fascinating fact about their speed. I would like to see one in full flight at that speed. Thanks for sharing.
My favorite duck. Thanks for featuring him. Every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning, I mumble, "Merganser" in passing. Lovely photos, James.
Glad you enjoyed this post, Sharron. They do look like they just rolled out of bed.
Great article, and I think they're pretty cool looking. My question is why is it being persued by an airplane. Did he do something wrong? 🤔
Ha! It's funny to imaging airplanes pursuing mischievous ducks. Thank you for reading and glad you enjoyed.
I did know the Canvasback was among the fastest ducks, but I sure didn't know its top recorded speed placed it second!
Thanks for the mention, James! I learned to become sick of Red-breasted Mergansers one winter in Michigan when they were pretty much 98% of the ducks I saw. They're uncommon on the rivers of Pittsburgh, but I remedied that by going to Lake Erie this winter and seeing 2000 of them at one time.
Putting it as "learned to become sick of Red-breasted Mergansers" is so apt, Nate. They have a way of removing their own allure with predictable and unrelenting abundance, but now I've learned not to be sick of them. 2000 at Lake Erie sounds amazing!
Your favorite duck does also haul ass, another reason to love a Canvasback.
Wow! Spectacular.
I adore that shaggy crest and wish my hair looked that good after going for a swim in saltwater!
They do manage to stay dapper when most wouldn’t!
"It’s a saltier duck." I chuckled at this line. Yes indeed, the first thing I noticed upon opening this in my inbox was the hairdo. I love that their bills are serrated! What a convenient development for their species. I look forward to the day I know enough about certain ducks to make talk at a cocktail party, I will have you to thank for that!
Thank you, Emma. They are saltier ducks in general, but duck hunters have come to malign the fishy, I'd guess salty, taste of this bird's flesh. I do plan to keep sharing duck facts for cocktail parties--an easy way to steal the show, and an easy way to weed out conversationalists not wort your time. "Not interested in ducks? On your way then, they're all I talk about."
That last photo of the single Merganser is a great one! I've only seen these from very afar. I don't head to the saltwater often enough.
Thank you Thomas! Definitely head to the salt when you get the chance for these in the winter. Maybe Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge? I assume you've been there already. If you can't tell, I googled saltwater birding spots in New Jersey.
I chuckled when I began reading this essay… because just as I opened the post, my first thought was “oh, he’s got the ‘I just got up from my nap, bed head !” And there, you were, writing about the same metaphor. 😆
I love the shot where his head is turned into the sunlight, and you can truly see how green it is.
I don’t see this type as it here, but I’ve caught a quick glimpse of the common merganser a few times on the lake.
The red breasted ones are handsome.
Thank you Teyani! The green head often just looks black, so it's nice to get a shot of the bird where it clearly looks green. They're handsome, but Common Mergs are handsome too and I don't see them nearly as much as serrator, so enjoy your lake sightings!
Thank you, James. A rave review for the Red-breasted Merganser. As a group, the Mergansers really have a corner on the market for hair. I especially like your photo of the reflection and drop of water off the beak. Great photography and field guide.
"Mergansers really have a corner on the market for hair." So true, Heidi! That made me laugh. Thank you for the kind words about the photos. Figured you and the Critters covered the Common Merganser, the Red-breasted needed some attention!
It's really an incredible synchronicity as I saw the scout female Common Merganser the day you posted this.:) I even got a blurry video of her taking flight from the pond.
Share it on Notes!
Ok!
Lovely photos. I've always loved Red-breasted Mergansers, especially the males in full breeding plumage, quite spectacular birds and not that common around Edinburgh, though they do sometimes show up on our east coast.
Thank you, Juliet! The males with their plumage are truly arresting birds. It must be a thrill when one shows up around your way.
It is indeed!
Thanks for sharing these identifying features of the red-breasted Merganser. Very helpful for itinerant birders.
Thank you, Tom. There's no shortage of Red-breasted Merganser in your neck of the woods in the winter months!
Bravo, red-breasted mergs! Seeing them cruising on the ocean is reassuring—dependable colleagues at sea. The others come and go, but the presence of mergs means a healthy ocean.
On lakes, common merg hens tending a half dozen chicks, softly clucking, is a joy to behold.
Gotta love a Red-breasted Merg. I've never seen a Common trailed by all her chicks, but would love to and hope to some day.
Yes on a lake in NH. We would paddle out looking for loons and found hen and chick mergs working a shoreline better. They don't follow Mom like puddle ducks. More like a mob taking turns in the lead and diving.
Very interesting, I love how you realised that you overlooked this duck and then someday it became beautiful. Very humble of you to admit ☺️
Thank you very much. Sometimes you get so used to a bird you feel less excited by it, but then one day it hits you: My god, look at that beautiful thing.
Totally, I only started looking at birds about 6-7 years ago because the girl who is now my wife was very passionate about them. I did without much interest at first but now I watch BBC and National geographic and even bring binoculars when we walk the dogs😊. They're such beautiful animals
Great information, James. They are a really striking duck. I have never seen a male Red-breasted Merganser. We had a female one that was in the area for awhile last year. After learning that serrator name, definitely makes sense after I saw a her bill. Fascinating fact about their speed. I would like to see one in full flight at that speed. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Neil. I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you see a male sometime soon!
Great images James. I love that water reflection photograph.
Thank you so much, Shital.
Thank you, Andrew! Definitely lots of personality to these birds.