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Red-breasted Merganser Identification

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The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape

    A large, slim, and long-bodied diving duck with a fairly long neck and a long, thin, serrated bill. A shaggy crest of feathers gives the head a distinctive profile.

    Relative Size

    Larger than a Ruddy Duck, smaller than a Common Loon.

    Relative Sizecrow sizedcrow-sized

    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 20.1-25.2 in (51-64 cm)
      • Weight: 28.2-47.6 oz (800-1350 g)
      • Wingspan: 26.0-29.1 in (66-74 cm)