Mergus

Mergus is a genus of fish-eating diving ducks in the family Anatidae. Its species include the common merganser, red-breasted merganser, and scaly-sided merganser.

Connect

Anatidae: Anatidae is the bird family comprising ducks, geese, and swans. Mergus belongs to this family of waterfowl.
Common merganser: The common merganser is a large fish-eating duck found across northern North America and Eurasia. It is a widespread, familiar species in Mergus.
Piscivory: Piscivory is a diet based primarily on fish. Fish are the principal prey pursued by Mergus species.
Bioindicator: A bioindicator is an organism whose presence, absence, or condition provides evidence about environmental conditions. Mergansers can reflect the condition of fish-bearing aquatic habitats.
Merganser: A merganser is a fish-eating duck with a narrow bill adapted for catching prey underwater. The name describes the characteristic fish-eating ducks grouped in Mergus.
Red-breasted merganser: The red-breasted merganser is a slender diving duck with a shaggy crest and a narrow red bill. Its distinctive crest and bill distinguish another widespread Mergus species.
Underwater locomotion: Underwater locomotion is movement through water by swimming or other forms of propulsion. Mergus ducks use foot-powered dives to chase prey.
River ecosystem: A river ecosystem comprises the organisms and physical processes interacting in flowing freshwater. Several Mergus species depend on rivers for feeding or breeding.
Diving duck: A diving duck is a waterfowl that submerges to forage, propelled chiefly by its feet. Mergus species pursue prey underwater rather than dabbling at the surface.
Scaly-sided merganser: The scaly-sided merganser is a rare East Asian fish-eating duck with patterned flanks. It is a less familiar Mergus species and is globally threatened.