Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes • March 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Breasted Merganser
Latin: Mergus serrator
Other: Harle huppé (Fr) • Mittelsäger (De) • Serreta mediana (Es) • Длинноносый крохаль (Ru) • Småskrake (Sw)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks, Mergansers
Range: Iceland, Northern Eurasia and America, winters on coasts of China, US, Europe
Similar: Common Merganser

This is the second consecutive year I have seen Red-breasted Mergansers fishing in exactly the same spot in March in the sea off the coast near Cannes.

This area is not marked on the Collins distribution map, but Red-breasted Mergansers are known to winter further east and west on the Mediterranean coast, before flying north to their summer breeding grounds.

Females, juveniles and eclipses can be identified by their thin red bill, striped face, short punky haircut, diffuse neck line, and black line running through white speculum on open wing (see below), the latter differentiating them from Goosanders in flight.

Above juveniles or females. Below, an adult male Red Breasted Merganser, with red irises, dark head, white collar, and dark wings with white patch with black lines.

Below, a male Red-breasted Mergansers off the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, in May.
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Photos copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2011

Bird name: Common Eider
Latin: Somateria mollissima
Other: Eiderente (De) • Eidereend (Nl) • Ejder (Sv)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks, Eiders
Range: Iceland, Northern Europe, north Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Similar: King Eider

The Common Eider is an attractive duck, apparently common around Reykjavik in May. Characterised by a thick bill, with “nail” at end.

The female is mottled brown, so quite different from the male in colour.





Below, a female Common Eider.
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Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Geneva, Switzerland • June • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Merganser
Latin: Mergus merganser
Other: Goosander (UK) • Harle Bièvre, Grand Harle (Fr) • Gänsesäger (De) • Smergo comune (It)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks, Mergansers
Range: Widespread North America, Eurasia
SImilar: Red-breasted Merganser

The Goosander, or Common Merganser, is found in northern parts of the world - its reach does not extend down to the Côte d'Azur, however. These Goosanders were photographed by Lake Geneva.

The male, above, has dark upperparts, and light underparts. Females and juveniles have reddish heads and greyish bodies. Juveniles have a white line below the eye.

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Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice, France • May June 09 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Hooded Merganser
Latin: Mergus cucullatus
Other:
Family: Anatidae • Mergansers • Ducks

Although native to North America, these Hooded Mergansers are from a park in Nice, presumably captive, though there are many escapes.More photos...