Merganser - description, habitat, interesting facts

Merganser is a wild duck that has spread widely in the CIS countries and Russia. The bird became famous for its interesting behavior, overall features, plumage and body color. Partly for this reason, hunting for these ducks is developed quite extensively. Very rarely, individuals of the breed group under discussion can be found near the Azov coast. For the winter, they go to warm climatic regions.

Types of Merganser

Ducks are waterfowl, there are 4 main types of individuals represented. In terms of natural habitat, you can find large, long-nosed, scaly mergansers and loot. Most often there are large birds that differ in their overall features. In winter, their weight can reach 2 kg.

It is these characteristics that make the presented individual interesting for hunting. Large mergansers prefer to settle and inhabit near rivers, lakes, which are located near the taiga.

Earlier it was mentioned that in the natural habitat you can find different mergansers. For example, medium-sized or long-duck ducks live in the forest belts and tundra of Eurasia. These two species are often scared with representatives of the scaly family.

However, scaly mergansers are common in other areas, such as China and the Far East. These individuals are extremely few, their population is declining every day. To date, there are about 3,000 goals, respectively, this is approximately 1,500 pairs. It was this aspect that led to the inclusion of individuals of the presented group in the Red Book.

Also, you can not ignore the following variety of ducks of this family, namely loot. They are the smallest when compared with other individuals. They prefer to settle near trees and in thickets.

Habitat

Birds like the lowlands, which are famous for their clear water and a small amount of vegetation. Individuals try to be exclusively in fresh water sources, circling the brackish water side.

The name of these birds fully justifies itself. In terms of overall features, these mergansers are really large, that is, they weigh about 2 kg. Male individuals lack a crest. The head is black in coloring, there is a certain silver tint in the upper section. The neck at the base is white. The abdominal part, sides of the body and some sections of the wings are of the same color.

If the representatives of male gender have a crest, then the females can boast a red forelock on their heads. It is quite wide and forked. Goiter and neck are painted white.

When the mating season begins, ducks begin to build homes for the future family. For one clutch they give about 10 eggs, which are white in color with a creamy tint.

In the category of large mergansers there are also subspecies, which were obtained due to the division into habitats. So, for example, secrete Himalayan, ordinary and North American merganser. In the vastness of our homeland, Himalayan and ordinary subspecies are most common.

Description

To date, this bird is considered the largest of the most similar. It can grow up to 2 kg in weight. As for the length of the hull, on average, these figures vary within 60 cm. If we consider the wingspan, it can reach a meter.

Perhaps this is the only species that can compete with the size of a mallard. As befits individuals of male gender, they are larger than females.

When mating begins, the males put on a bright outfit. On a black or gray head and neck, a flickering tint of green can be observed. Almost the rest of the body is covered with white feathers. The tail with wings is black-gray.

Nutrition

1. It is worth paying special attention to the fact that the presented individuals are able to eat fish up to 20 cm long. Moreover, such nutrition is the basis of these birds.
2. Among other things, the presented ducks do not eat simple fish. They prefer salmon and trout. Otherwise, they can eat pike, eel and roach.
3. Also, merganser will consume in the diet that fish, which will be most popular in the habitat.
4. The birds in question, like most relatives in the form of a sea eagle, a turpan and a white duck, can feed on mollusks, small crayfish, worms, larvae and dragonflies.

Breeding

1. Individuals reach puberty approximately in the second year of life. At this age, they become fully capable of continuing their race. To attract a female, males begin to make sounds characteristic of these birds. After this, representatives of the stronger sex begin to swim around their chosen one.
2. In this way, males attract females. In addition, males can beat wings on the water so that they are paid attention. After the individuals are divided into pairs, they stay at the nesting site. The female is always responsible for the nest. She begins to build it.
3. Often a nest is formed in the hollow of a tree. Also, nesting can take place in the deepening of various branches. Often, nests are located in recesses and crevices of rocks. A feature of such individuals is that their nest can be located at a decent distance from the water.
4. Not all ducks can boast similar. This feature is simply unacceptable for many individuals. Most individuals prefer to live near water bodies at a distance of no more than 50 m. At one time, the female lays up to 10 eggs. After that, she immediately begins to hatch them. A month later, chicks appear.
5. The male for such a long period almost never remains. Therefore, by the time of the appearance of the young, it is likely to be gone. The female, in turn, simply expects the moment when the chicks get stronger. After that, she leads them to the water. They begin to fly after the second month of life.

Interesting Facts

1. The birds in question are unique in nature, they belong to those few individuals who prefer large lakes and rivers.
2. They need a large water surface in order to take off comfortably. In addition, they need a lot of free space due to their impressive size and high weight.
3. Some subspecies of merganser are listed in the Red Book. In Russia, in almost all regions, their numbers are stable. Therefore, bird hunting is allowed without any problems.

Merganser belongs to the category of waterfowl; it does not require special delights in nutrition; it can survive in harsh climatic conditions. They quickly find a place to build a dwelling for future offspring, as well as hatch nestlings with high quality.

Video: Merganser (Mergus merganser)