Common Merganser

This "saw-billed" duck is commonly mistaken for a male Mallard. Although males of
both species have green heads, the Common Merganser is larger and more slender in
profile, has a long, thin, red bill and its breast and sides are pure white. The female has
a brown head with a conspicuous crest, a white breast and a grey back.
The Common Merganser is present in the Vancouver area throughout the year, but it
is most numerous from November through March. At this time, flocks of over a hun-
dred birds can be found in river channels, on larger lakes and, during very cold win-
ters when lakes are frozen, on the sea. A few pairs stay around to nest along mountain
streams each summer.

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