Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Common Merganser Male

 Male common merganser (Mergus meganser)

One common merganser was swimming in the river with a multitude of mallards and Canada geese.  During the winter months, mergansers usually mix with Goldeneyes, Buffleheads and other fish-eating ducks, but last Thursday this merganser was hobnobbing with geese and dabblers.

Are you looking at me?

I wish the sun had been out so you could see that his head is actually a dark iridescent green and not black. Also, in better light you could see that his bill is serrated.   But at least even in dull light, you can see how handsome he is.

Canada goose and common merganser

Here you can see the size of a male common merganser in comparison to an average-sized Canada goose.  Mergansers are large ducks.

Stretching

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
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45 comments:

  1. Judy December 10, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    I can tell he has a green head, he's pretty. I love it when ducks do their stretching.

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  2. KateDecember 10, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    A very handsome bird!

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  3. DarlaDecember 10, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    How handsome, not Common at all, LOL!

    Darla

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  4. William KendallDecember 10, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    I can see glimpses of green in is head in that first shot.

    It is a big duck.

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  5. Elizabeth EdwardsDecember 10, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    oh, i love the green feathers on the brain-o there. what a gorgeous bird. ( :

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  6. •°°• IcyBC •°°•December 10, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    He is definitely very handsome!

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  7. Pride In Photos BeautyDecember 10, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    I love how you were able to capture them side by side...they are huge...beautiful creatures.

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  8. RebeccaDecember 10, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    Great series - love the last shot!

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  9. Our photosDecember 10, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    What a beautiful duck!!!

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  10. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"December 10, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    That's a Goosander over here. They'll be on some of our lakes and flooded quarries right now too. Handsome birds indeed!

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  11. MaggidDecember 10, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    THIS is one handsome duck.

    Hey, THANKS!!!

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  12. KarenDecember 10, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    He is a handsome bird! Love that last shot!

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  13. TexWisGirlDecember 10, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    really beautiful! would love to see one of these in real life. :)

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  14. JennyDecember 10, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    What an expressive eye this attractive fellow has. Seems to get along well with the geese.

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  15. DeniseinVADecember 10, 2013 at 11:03 AM

    He is a handsome one. Great photos!

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  16. MersadDecember 10, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    Beautiful shots of a beautiful bird!

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  17. Gail DixonDecember 10, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    A very striking and beautiful duck! I hate when the light is not cooperative, but you still have some nice shots here. :)

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  18. StephanieDecember 10, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    A very handsome duck, great shots.

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  19. AnonymousDecember 10, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    That is a very large duck! Pretty too.

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  20. HalcyonDecember 10, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    He is a good-looking fellow. I think he's giving you the eye. :)

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  21. UnknownDecember 10, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    Beautiful birds!

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  22. Maude LynnDecember 10, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    Gorgeous shots! I love that last one.

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  23. Ruth HiebertDecember 10, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    He is a good looking fella even on a cloudy day. I didn't realize they were quite that large. This is a good comparison shot.

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  24. RoseDecember 10, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    I wish I could see the real colors, too. It is amazing what some animals/birds really look like when you can see them in sunlight.

    His bill looks like it is so strong. I guess he is just a social butterfly the way he is hobnobbing with everyone.

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  25. mickDecember 10, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    A very handsome fellow! and a great series of photos.

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  26. Carole M.December 10, 2013 at 4:13 PM

    wow - they're beautiful!

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  27. RedPatDecember 10, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    He's a big handsome guy!

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  28. ElaDecember 10, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    Wow, wonderful pictures, your models are beautiful

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  29. GordonDecember 10, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    Lovely clear shots,
    All the best Gordon.

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  30. eileeninmdDecember 10, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    The Mergansers are one of my favorites to see here in the winter. Great shots! Have a happy week!

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  31. JudyDecember 10, 2013 at 5:50 PM

    He is so gorgeous!

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  32. Coloring Outside the LinesDecember 10, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    Awesome shots EG, just awesome!

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  33. Lisa GordonDecember 10, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    What a handsome fella he is!

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  34. RandyDecember 10, 2013 at 9:53 PM

    Interesing color combo.

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  35. CarlettaDecember 10, 2013 at 10:09 PM

    Thanks for explaining his color. I would have guessed black. The next to last image I can see a hint of green. That color combination makes him quite stunning.
    Great photos!

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  36. LONDONLULUDecember 10, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    Yup, I'm looking at you!...Because you're a great-looking bird!:)

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  37. JackDecember 10, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    Who are you calling common?

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  38. stardustDecember 11, 2013 at 4:14 AM

    Thanks to your remark about the color of his head, I could pay attention and saw green color. He’s so charming! You captured nicely the moment of the two bird side by side. Have happy December ahead.

    Yoko

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  39. JudyDecember 11, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    He is a big guy, next to the goose!!!

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  40. Sallie (FullTime-Life)December 11, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    They are big fellows and handsome as well! Love that last picture especially.

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  41. Esther JoyDecember 11, 2013 at 2:49 PM

    Beautiful shots! We've had some ducks stop by here on their way south - probably stopped in because of the winter storm. They were so "flighty" that I couldn't get close enough to get a good shot with the lens I have.

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  42. Susan AndersonDecember 11, 2013 at 9:10 PM

    Your blog has gotten me so much more interested in birds of all kinds.

    Thanks!

    =)

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  43. Margaret Birding For PleasureDecember 12, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    Hi EG. Boy he is handsome. great shots of him.

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  44. NatureFootstepDecember 12, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    strange if it was alone with the geese. They usually comes in small flocks.

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  45. Jenn JilksDecember 13, 2013 at 10:25 PM

    Lovely birds! We're so frozen!

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