Birdwatching - 3087 🐦

🦉 The common merganser (North American) or goosander (Eurasian) (Mergus merganser)

• Mergus (Greek) unidentified waterfowl mentioned in the texts of Pliny, Horace, and other ancient Roman authors
• merganser Greek: Mergus-Waterfowl, Anser-Goose

The long, serrated bill of this duck resembles a saw, and for good reason: this bird was created for fishing. Unlike mallards, which dig in the mud, the merganser patrols the river and dives at lightning speed when it sees prey. Underwater, it opens its beak and grabs the fish.

As for sexual dimorphism, male mergansers are unmistakable. They have a snow-white body and a black back with a green metallic sheen. Females are more modest, but they have a mischievous red crest.