Winter Visitors 3

We have two types of Mergansers resident here in the winter, the Hooded Mergansers pictured a few days ago and the Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), pictured above. Occasionally we see a Red-breasted Merganser but they are not generally resident here. In common with the Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers are diving ducks that catch small fish underwater. The Common Merganser in this photo is just about to eat her most recent catch.

Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser)

There are some fairly large flocks (50-100 birds) of these birds in coastal waters now. These are a kind of diving duck called Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser). That's the male with a black and white body and a greenish black head near the center of the photo. The others are females and juveniles. These were photographed near Fleming Beach.

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Here's an old acquaintance on the West Bay Walkway, a female Common Merganser stretching her wings.