Birds and wildlife

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorGroup: Ducks, geese and swansUK Conservation status:Not assessed

How to identify

These handsome diving ducks belong to the sawbill family, named for their serrated bills, used for catching fish. Their diet of fish like Salmon and Trout has brought them into conflict with game fishermen. At home on both fresh and saltwater, Red-breasted Mergansers are most commonly seen around the UK's coastline in winter. They are very sociable, forming flocks of several hundreds in the autumn.

Call

Red-breasted Merganser

Ruud van Beusekom / xeno-canto

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Where best to see them

Key facts