Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
A slim fish-eating duck with a spiky crest. Males have a greenish-black head, a rust-coloured breast, and a greyish flank; females are grey with a reddish-brown head. They are commonly seen in small groups along sheltered coasts, diving with ease after fish.
- Habitat: Coastal bays, estuaries, sometimes inland lakes; prefers salt or brackish water.
- When to See: Mostly winter visitors and migrants.
- Diet / Food: Mainly small fish, occasionally crustaceans.
- Length: 51–62 cm