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Birds
Red-breasted merganser
Red-breasted merganser · Mergus serrator
The red-breasted merganser captivates with its slender body and fascinating hunting manoeuvres on the water surface.
Fact file
- Size
- 60 to 70 cm long, wingspan up to 90 cm.
- Males and females
- Male with conspicuous plumage and dark head, female brown and inconspicuous.
- Sounds
- Calls of croaking and quacking, especially when there is danger.
- Diet
- Prefers fish, often also other aquatic animals such as insects.
- Offspring
- The breeding season lasts from April to July, eggs are laid in nests on the shore.
How to identify Red-breasted merganser
The red-breasted merganser has a striking, slender appearance with a length of 60 to 70 cm and a wingspan of up to 90 cm. Its head shows a characteristic green colouring and is separated from the distinctive orange-red breast by a narrow white neck.
The plumage of the males is especially splendid with a dark, iridescent upper body and a white flank stripe. Females are less conspicuous and more brown in colour. Both sexes show the characteristic pointed bill shape, which is ideal for catching fish.
More in the app
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- general viewing tips
Where Red-breasted merganser live
Discover Red-breasted merganser on your trip.
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