| Red Breasted Merganser - Western Isles Birds
(Click Image for Larger Pictures) |
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2055
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2056
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2057
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Red Breasted Merganser - Stornoway Castle Grounds Nov 2010
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These saw billed ducks with their serrated bills are very striking
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This bird is a female - they are greyish with a reddish brown head,
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2058
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2059
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2001
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The mergansers can reach flying speeds of up to 80mph
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These ducks have a low rolling croak or growl
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Red Breasted Mergansers seen at Coll - Isle of Lewis - Western Isles.
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED6000
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Red Breasted Mergansers
Ref:RED2001
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Red Breasted Mergansers
Ref:RED7000
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Red Breasted Merganser - Coll - Isle of Lewis - Western Isles - Scotland.
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Red Breasted Mergansers seen at Coll - Isle of Lewis - Western Isles.
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Red Breasted Mergansers - lovely sawbill ducks - Isle of Lewis.
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2001
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Red Breasted Mergansers
Ref:RED2020
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2002
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Red Breasted Merganser - bird sightings Western Isles - Scotland .
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Red Breasted Mergansers seen at Coll - Isle of Lewis - Western Isles.
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When you Click to view the larger picture you will see that there are four mergansers - two male - two female
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED20011
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED20020
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Red Breasted Merganser - bird sightings Western Isles - Scotland Oct 1010
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There were four mergansers at Luskentyre October 2010
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| Bird Overview - Red Breasted Merganser |
Family |
Swans, Ducks and Geese |
Latin name |
Mergus serrator |
Population |
Common |
Similar Species |
Goosander |
Description |
These sawbill ducks - with their serrated bills are quite commonly seen here in the Western Isles and Scotland in general. This bird prefers salt water. The adult has a long thin orange to red-pink beak or bill with a shaggy crest on the back of its head. and white patches on the wings which you can see when in flight.
The male has a green head and crest on its head, grey sides, white neck ring, and rusty breast. The female birds are greyish, with reddish-brown head shading gradually into gray of neck. Both females and males have the crests and red bills.
The juvenile is similar to the female but has a white bar across its face. These birds have a thinner bill than the goosander.
These birds are a UK resident breeder and a winter visitor
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Size |
19-26" (48-66 cm). Weight 0.85kg - 1.25kg
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Habitat |
These birds can be see in coastal bays, estuaries, and other protected coastal areas. They can also be seen on freshwater lochs and lakes.
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Food |
The young red breasted mergansers eat mostly aquatic insects
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Voice |
These ducks have a low rolling croak or growl
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Breeding |
These ducks first breed at the age of two years. Pairs form in late winter and during spring migration, although some evidence of pairing may be evident in the late fall. Breeding is late in the season, and often the young do not fledge until September.
These birds nest in sheltered spots on the ground, usually near water. The nest is a simple depression lined with vegetation and down. The female lays 7 to 10 eggs, and sometimes lays eggs in the nests of other females.
Males leave when incubation begins. Incubation is by the female and lasts for 28 to 35 days. Within a day or so of hatching, the young follow the female to water where they feed themselves. Within a few weeks, the females typically abandon the young, who cannot fly until they are about two months old. |
Misc. Info |
These birds have been claimed to be the fastest bird in level flight, reaching speeds of (80 mph),All mergansers look as if they needed to have their hair brushed. |
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