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			Common Name: Common Merganser

			Species: Mergus merganser

			Type: Water fowl

	Description: Their length is about 18 inches and they have a wingspan of 37 inches. They also have a long pointed bill with serrated edges. They have brown eyes. Male: Greenish-black head and upper neck. Lower neck, breast, and upper parts are creamy white and have black backs. The bill is red with a blackish culmen and nail. The legs and feet are deep red. Female: have a tufted red-brown head and whitish chin. There back and Sides are silver-gray, and breast and belly are white. Bill is red with black. Legs and feet are deep red.	Habitat: Wetland-open, water

	Food: Fishes, amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates.	Enemies: Hunters.

	Range & migration: The common merganser migrates to the southern coast of Alaska, and to the western and eastern coasts of Canada. They are also found all across most of the U.S. except on South eastern and far South central States.	Reproduction: The female merganser lays about 6-12 eggs in a down-lined hollow or in a tree cavity. Length of incubation last about 28-35 days and is done by the female. The young stay in the nest for only about one day. They find their own food and fly for the first time at about 65-70 days.

	More information: .	Links: http://www.e-nature.org http://www.enature.com http://www.landbirds.com http://birds.fws.gov