Red-breasted merganser

The red-breasted merganser is an intriguing diving duck belonging to the sawbill family. Described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, it bears the scientific name Mergus serrator.

One of the most distinctive features of the adult red-breasted merganser is its spiky crest and long, slender red bill with serrated edges. The males and females of this species exhibit notable sexual dimorphism: males showcase a dark head with a green sheen, a white neck, a reddish breast, a black back, and white underparts. In contrast, females have a rust-colored head and a greyish body. Juveniles resemble females but lack some of their more defined markings.

Regarding their diet, these ducks primarily consume small fish but also eat aquatic insects, crustaceans, and frogs. They prefer breeding in freshwater lakes and rivers across northern North America, Greenland, Europe, and the Palearctic region. Their nests are typically built close to water, and they are migratory birds, with many northern populations migrating to coastal waters further south during winter.

Interestingly, the red-breasted merganser holds the record as the fastest duck ever recorded, reaching an astonishing speed of 100 mph while being pursued by an airplane. This species is also listed under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), underscoring its conservation significance.