Common Merganser
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is the largest merganser species, averaging only slightly smaller than the largest North American duck, the Common Eider. This species display a long, thin, serrated red bill with matching irises and legs. Common mergansers have an elegant-looking narrow head with a long neck that is normally pulled against the body in a snakey looking “S” shape. Common merganser drakes display black head lacking long crest that iridesce with green; cream-colored neck, underbelly, and vermiculated gray tail. Hens have a chestnut head with a white throat patch that abruptly changes to the silvery plumage of the rest of the body. Females also display a small crest that does not reach the front of their head.
Available Hunts
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Delaware Duck Hunting
Delaware Sea Duck and Brant Hunting
...read moreDelaware sea duck and brant hunting package presents the perfect opportunity to collect scoters, Atlantic Brant, long-tailed ducks, and American black ducks. Low hunting pressure, dedicated guide and mobility ensure high-success hunts.
- Sea duck hunting from boat or layout
- Full-day hunting combo options
- Low-pressured hunting areas
- Plan B options during seaduck hunt weather-outs
- Hotel lodging, restaurant meals not included
- Nearby non-hunting activities
Rate: $600 -
Mexico Duck Hunting Obregon
Mexico duck hunt combo for real duck hunters. All-day hunts for broad variety of Central Flyway and Pacific Flyway duck species.
...read moreMexico duck hunting combo in Obregon is an action-packed “real duck hunters duck hunt” for ducks, doves, options for trophy bass fishing and quail.
- Trophy duck species for nearly all Central and Pacific flyway species to include cinnamon teal, Mexican mallard, more!
- Generous bag limits
- Elegant and Gambel’s quail, trophy largemouth bass fishing options
- Premium, 9-bedroom estancia and unequalled guest services
- Featured – Wildfowl, World of Beretta, MOJO TV, Outdoor Life, NRA Hunter, more
Rate: $4,880 (4-day hunt) -
New England Sea Duck Hunting
World renown for its eider hunting, New England waterfowling offers an incredible change of scenery and is an excellent place to check off lots of North America waterfowl species. RPM Outdoors specializes in making your hunt priorities a reality.
...read more- 17+ years experience for eiders, other sea ducks, divers, dabblers, mergansers, geese
- Best place in US to harvest prime American black ducks
- Customized hunt plans reflect hunter priorities, not a “one size fits all” type 1/2-day hunt
- Includes hotel accommodations, full-day hunting, continental breakfasts, made-to-order lunches
- Recognized as foremost among US waterfowl collectors and taxidermists
- Nearby non-hunting spouse activities abound
Rate: $1,950 for 3-day inclusive package
While there are not many studies concerning common merganser breeding and non-breeding habitat and behaviors, it is known that Common Mergansers are residents in the Northern Pacific and Atlantic United States, but also have migrating populations. Migrating breeding population lives in Southern Alaska, most of Canada, and Wisconsin. Common mergansers frequently nest in cavities that are manmade and natural and have been found in chimneys, rock crevices, and sheds. Natural crevices are found at most 100 feet above ground in live or dead trees. Wintering common mergansers are found in northern Mexico and throughout the United States uncommonly the southeastern states. Prefering freshwater over saltwater habitats, common mergansers are well-suited for either.
Because of their serrated and hooked bill give common merganser a major advantage of holding on to slippery prey. Their winter diet is dominated predominately fish, else they will supplement their diet with aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, birds, and small mammals in clear, shallow water. Nestlings eat insects for their first few days of life before being able to successfully catch faster aquatic prey.
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