Biology

The Common Merganser is a diving duck which feeds on fish, crustaceans and aquatic insects. One of their fishing techniques is to cruise on the surface of the water with their head submerged to see the fish, as in this photograph; once the prey is spotted the bird pursues at high speed underwater. The Common Merganser is widespread in North America, in breeding season generally near woodland lakes and streams in the northern part of its range, and in winter in the southern part of its range, sometimes also found in brackish water.