Common Merganser
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Common Merganser | status = Conservation status: Lower risk (lc) | image = Mergus merganser m.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Anseriformes | familia = Anatidae | genus = Mergus | species = M. merganser | binomial = Mergus merganser | binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758 | range_map = Mergus merganser distr.png | range_map_width = 240px | range_map_caption = Common Merganser range }}
The Common Merganser, (Goosander in Europe), Mergus merganser, is a large sea duck, which is distributed over Europe, North Asia and North America. Although belonging to the seaducks, It is most common on lakes and rivers. Its nests can be found in treeholes.
There are three subspecies
- M. m. merganser, the Goosander of Europe
- M. m. orientalis, Central Asian Common Merganser
- M. m. americanus, American Common Merganser
Image:Common merganser small.jpg Males and females are easily distinguished, since the male merganser has a dark green head, while the head of the female is reddish-brown. The Common Merganser is 70 cm long with a 78-94 cm wingspan.
These large fish-eaters have serrated edges to their bills to help them grip their prey. Along with the Smew and the Hooded Merganser, they are therefore often known as "sawbills". They also eat mussels and shrimps; young birds mainly eat aquatic insects.
North American birds migrate south in small groups to the southern United States; on the west coast, some birds are permanent residents.
Scandinavian and Russian birds also migrate southwards, but western European birds are largely resident.
Template:Commonsbg:Голям нирец cs:Morčák velký cy:Hwyaden Ddanheddog de:Gänsesäger et:Jääkoskel fr:Harle bièvre lt:Didysis dančiasnapis nl:Grote zaagbek ja:カワアイサ pl:Tracz nurogęś fi:Isokoskelo sv:Storskrake