Common Mergansers

[pauraque]

I spotted this pair of Common Mergansers (also called Goosander in Europe) on the river yesterday. I was up on a bridge and I don't think they realized I was there, so I got some lovely close looks as they swam by.



The male has a mostly white body with a black back and a very dark green head which can look black depending on lighting. The female is gray with a pale breast and a reddish-brown head featuring a shaggy punk hairstyle. Both have a narrow red bill, used to poke around in the sediment when they dive underwater for prey.

Comments

[blackcatofmisery]

They're beautiful!! I've not been seeing many ducks in my region, yet, and I'm kind of worried. Those I have seen have mostly been single male mallards. It's nice to see a duo.

=^..^=~

[pauraque]

We get a lot of ducks passing through for migration, but these ones are year-round for us!