Stats

Lifespan: 5-13 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Flock
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Northern Hemisphere
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

Mergus is the genus of typical mergansers, sleek fish-eating ducks found across the rivers and lakes of the Northern Hemisphere. All species share a distinctive slender bill lined with saw-toothed serrations for gripping slippery fish underwater.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A clutch of eggs rests in a down-lined nest near water, covered and warmed by the brooding female.
2.
hatchling
A downy hatchling follows its mother to the water within hours and feeds itself almost immediately.
3.
juvenile
A juvenile grows its first true feathers, swimming in the family group and learning to dabble or dive.
4.
adult
Fully grown with adult plumage.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Mergus