Hooded Merganser:
Ranges across the United States and Canada.  Small merganser with large fan shaped crest and stubby bill.  Feeds heavily on aquatic insects and small fish.  Does not perch in trees but will perch in rocks and logs near or in the water.  Uses tree holes or duck boxes for nest sites.  Smallest of the North American mergansers.

Smew:
Ranges across northern Europe and Asia.  The smallest of the mergansers and unlike its larger relatives, it has a preference for smaller and shallower pools of water.  Males are predominantly white with a crest and a short black bill.  Female has large white cheek patches on a primarily gray body.  Uses tree holes or nest boxes.

Red-Breasted Merganser:
Found across northern United States and Canada, along with northern Asia and Europe.  An expert diver and feeds primarily on fish which it grasps with the help of serrated mandibles that help it grasp the slippery prey.  Much more maritime than the common merganser, which prefers fresh water habitat.  Nests in tree holes and duck boxes.

Common Merganser:
Ranges across the north of the northern hemisphere.  The white bodies of the males are easily seen on the dark water.  Often fly in single file and low over the water.  Well able to perch in trees and the female is very capable and is often seen inspecting tree cavities when searching for a nesting site.  Will also use duck boxes.

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Last modified: May 25, 2003