Red-Breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
The Red-Breasted Merganser breeds over much of northern Canada, but prefers shallow coastal saltwater areas in winter.
These birds are fast fliers. Some observers claim their flying speed is up to 100 miles per hour.
Most of our knowledge about the Red-Breasted Merganser’s diet has come from research into their effect on sport and commercial fishing interests. These diving ducks consume small to medium-sized fish, including salmon fry, stickleback, killifishes and many others. Given the opportunity, they will take crustaceans such as crayfish and shrimp too.
Today’s science considers the Red-Breasted Merganser as monotypic (i.e. there are no subspecies).
Most of my encounters with this species have come from South San Diego Bay, but I’ve also enjoyed meeting them on the Colorado River, and near Otter Creek near Antimony (Utah). Once I observed a cooperative, inter-species fishing event in Imperial Beach (California). A pair of Snowy Egrets worked the shoreline while a Red-Breasted Merganser worked the shallow water of a channel in the San Diego South Bay. If a fish evaded the merganser, the egrets were there to exploit the opportunity. If the prey feared the egrets, they might get caught by the merganser.
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Fishing for breakfast at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 8:34 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X0875-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 8:42 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X0934-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:15 7:59 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X1610-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:15 7:59 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X1621-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Bayside lagoon in Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:29 |
|
Location:
Chula Vista |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X6570-RedBreastedMerganser |
| (C) 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:29 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X6577-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:29 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X6589-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Bayside lagoon in Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:31 |
|
Location:
Chula Vista |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X6628-RedBreastedMerganser |
| (C) 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Seen at the spillway below Otter Creek Reservoir, four miles north of Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:46 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X9770-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Seen at the spillway below Otter Creek Reservoir, four miles north of Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:47 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X9773-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:56 |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD5678.RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Red-breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:56 |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD5688.RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:05 9:18 |
|
Location:
Tijuana River Mouth |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X3327-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Female at the Colorado River below Davis Dam in Bullhead City, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:14 11:06 |
|
Location:
Davis Camp |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D723647RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Male with crayfish at the Colorado River below Davis Dam in Bullhead City, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:14 12:06 |
|
Location:
Davis Camp |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D723928-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: The Snowy Egtrets were taking advantage of the small fish that were fleeing from the merganser. Viewed from the edge of the marshes at South San Diego Bay near 7th Street in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:15 7:27 |
|
Location:
7th Street Overlook |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RedBreastedMerganser_D5X0901 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: San Diego Wild Animal Park. Escondido, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:01:20 14:35 |
|
Location:
San Pasqual |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X9959-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging. |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Otter Creek near Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:46 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X9769-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Seen at the spillway below Otter Creek Reservoir, four miles north of Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:35 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X9748-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Safari Park (Formerly San Diego Wild Animal Park). Escondido, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:05 13:04 |
|
Location:
San Pasqual |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X6601-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Click map markers to reveal further information
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Fishing for breakfast at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 8:34 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X0875-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 8:42 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X0934-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:15 7:59 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X1610-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:15 7:59 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X1621-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Bayside lagoon in Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:29 |
|
Location:
Chula Vista |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X6570-RedBreastedMerganser |
| (C) 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:29 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X6577-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:29 |
|
Location:
Bayfront Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X6589-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Bayside lagoon in Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:02:16 8:31 |
|
Location:
Chula Vista |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X6628-RedBreastedMerganser |
| (C) 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Seen at the spillway below Otter Creek Reservoir, four miles north of Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:46 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X9770-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Seen at the spillway below Otter Creek Reservoir, four miles north of Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:47 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X9773-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:56 |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD5678.RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Red-breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:56 |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD5688.RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:05 9:18 |
|
Location:
Tijuana River Mouth |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X3327-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Female at the Colorado River below Davis Dam in Bullhead City, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:14 11:06 |
|
Location:
Davis Camp |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D723647RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Male with crayfish at the Colorado River below Davis Dam in Bullhead City, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:14 12:06 |
|
Location:
Davis Camp |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D723928-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: The Snowy Egtrets were taking advantage of the small fish that were fleeing from the merganser. Viewed from the edge of the marshes at South San Diego Bay near 7th Street in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:15 7:27 |
|
Location:
7th Street Overlook |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RedBreastedMerganser_D5X0901 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: San Diego Wild Animal Park. Escondido, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:01:20 14:35 |
|
Location:
San Pasqual |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X9959-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging. |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Otter Creek near Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:46 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X9769-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Seen at the spillway below Otter Creek Reservoir, four miles north of Antimony Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 11:35 |
|
Location:
Otter Creek |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X9748-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator) |
|
Description: Safari Park (Formerly San Diego Wild Animal Park). Escondido, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:05 13:04 |
|
Location:
San Pasqual |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X6601-RedBreastedMerganser |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Click map markers to reveal further information
