About

he largest of the three North American mergansers, the Common Merganser is an expert diver that feeds on small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. It is also the only North American merganser in which the female is crested and the male is not. The male has striking plumage: a white body, black head and back, and a bright reddish orange bill. In the Mid-Atlantic, the species is a fairly common winter resident. It is one of the latest waterfowl to arrive each winter, and can most often be found on large bodies of freshwater, especially reservoirs. It is also an uncommon and local breeder in Maryland.

Synonyms:

• COME
• Mergus merganser americanus

Links:

• linkView taxon at iNaturalist
• linkView taxon at GBIF