Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture information:
J23.13.w4, J23.13.w8
B7, B29, B31, B40, B94, B96, B97, B128.w1, B129
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Seaducks
• Mergansers

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Seaducks are generally winter-hardy and sociable. They are preferably kept on a large area of clean, cold, deep water, at least some of which (preferably half the area) should be more than 60cm and preferably more than1m deep. As with other diving ducks, most species are relatively ungainly on land and ponds should have shallow sloping banks. Some cover along the pond edges will generally be appreciated. Preferred nesting sites vary greatly within this group, from open ground nesting to thick vegetation and tree holes.
• Diets of grain, pellets fish and seafood may be used, also bread. These ducks generally need a higher-protein diet than most waterfowl species and high-protein pelleted diets specifically designed for seaducks are now available, although supplementation with fish may still be important particularly for breeding.
• Feeding in troughs containing stones may avoid the development of overgrown bills. Provision of salt water may decrease the incidence of fungal and other infections.
• Ducklings may be given high-protein starter crumbs and live food, and provided with access to deep water for swimming from an early age.
• Mergansers, also known as "sawbills" and "fish ducks", require a large area of deep, clean water, with marginal vegetation providing cover along the edges. Very active and playful, the larger species may be belligerent and upset other ducks in a mixed collection. Breeders pellets, floating pellets and addition fish such as sprats or sand eels should be fed. These species are at particular risk from Foreign Body Ingestion, due to their tendency to pick up, play with and occasionally swallow, a wide variety of objects. Sawbills will nest in boxes or barrels, on the ground or raised, sometimes at a distance from water. Ducklings should be provided with access to swimming water from an early age.

(J23.13.w4, J23.13.w8, B7, B29, B40, B94, B129, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Red-breasted mergansers should be provided with a large area of clear water, at least 80cm deep, with access to ice-free water in winter; an area with natural food available is advantageous, particularly for breeding. They may be kept with other species, at least on larger areas. Pellets, wheat and duckweed should be provided as well as fish.
• Not common in collections and not easy to breed, these mergansers are bred sporadically. Fairly low raised nest boxes should be provided; ground-level nest boxes and dense natural ground cover near water are also used for nesting. Nests some distance from water may be used. Nest box dimensions of 12x12x14inches (30x30x35cm) with a 4 inch (10cm) entrance hole is suggested (B128.w1). Eggs are usually laid April to May. Ducklings should be reared with access to water for swimming and diving (B31).
• Hybridisation has been reported with Lophodytes cucullatus - Hooded merganser, Tadorna tadorna - Common shelduck, Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard and others.

(J23.13.w8, B29, B30, B31, B40, B96, B97, B128.w1, B129).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: M 12.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• Population Control of Birds - General
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Wings black outer feathers and leading edge, white secondaries and their coverts with black bars across bases of greater coverts and bases of secondaries.

Eclipse: Similar to female but darker mantle and male wing pattern retained.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Brood amalgamation occurs, often with only one female left tending. Independent before fledging.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Northern North America south to Great Lakes; Greenland, Iceland, Northern Eurasia as far south as Britain, north-eastern China, northern Japan.

London: In the London Area, "scarce winter visitor and passage migrant." In 2000, about 29 individuals seen, at sites such as Dartford Marsh, and various reservoirs, also in Inner London one bird on The Serpentine in Hyde Park one day in December. (J322.65.w1)

Partly migratory. Remain across north-western Europe, Iceland and western Greenland all year. Also Atlantic and Pacific coasts North America, Mediterranean basin, southern part former USSR, eastern China, Korea Japan.

Males remain closer to breeding areas than do females.

Occasionally further south.

Accidentals reported Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus, Malta, Morocco, Azores, Madeira.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Abundant (B1).

Captive Populations

Trade