Mergansers

This is Episode 105. It’s all about a small group of birds called mergansers. These are diving ducks known for their skill at catching fish. They have long, slender bills with serrated edges, earning them the nickname "sawbills." 

Maybe you’re familiar with these birds. Maybe you’re already a big fan. Or maybe you didn’t know they existed until just now. Either way, our goal today is to learn a lot more about Common Mergansers and their close relatives. 

There are five species that we call mergansers. And there’s another species in this group that’s called the Smew. The Smew is sort of an honorary merganser. 

The six species we’re looking at today are divided among 3 genera. 

Of all the ducks in the world, mergansers are the species that depend the most on fish. So not surprisingly, they’re excellent divers and swimmers. 
 

Links of Interest

• Merganser Duckling Swimming at High Speed [VIDEO]
• Red-breasted Merganser Courtship Display [VIDEO]
• Hooded Merganser Courtship Display [VIDEO]
• Hooded Merganser Chicks Jumping Out of Nest [VIDEO]
• Red-breasted and Common Mergansers herding fish [VIDEO] 

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Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website 

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