Red-breasted Merganser

The Red-breasted Merganser (Scientific name - Mergus serrator) is a diving duck found in many parts of North America. They range as far north as the Arctic and as far south as Texas and the Baja Penninsula. They are slightly smaller than the Common Merganser and have a long ragged looking double crest.  The males have a long orangish bill, dark head, white collar and reddish chest. The back is dark with white patches on the wings. In flight there are two noticeable dark wing bars. The female is mostly rusty brown and grey.  Photos were taken in Saint John, New Brunswick in December 2014. Unfortunately I did not get any photos of the females.

Common Merganser

The Common Merganser (Scientific name - Mergus merganser) is the largest of the mergansers found in North America. It is a diving duck that feeds mostly on small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.  They are found throughout North America, with a summer range as far as the Yukon and Alaska and in winter as far south as Mexico. The male has a dark green head with a reddish orange bill; he has a white breast and undersides and a dark back with a grey tail. The female has a grey body with a red crested head and white chest.
Photos were taken in Abbotsford, B.C. in January 2014.

Female

Male in Flight

Male

Male showing green head

Hooded Merganser

The Hooded Merganser (Scientific name - Lophodytes cucullatus) is the smallest of the mergansers. The males and the females both have crests that they can raise or flatten.  This species is found in both the Eastern and Western parts of North America. They are medium distance migrants and many stay resident if the waters remain ice free. The males are very distinctive with a black and white head and black and white back and brown undersides. The females are mainly shades of brown and grey. 

Photos were taken at Mill Lake, Abbotsford, British Columbia in January 2014. 

Female

Male