Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Stor skallesluger er en omkring 66 centimeter stor fugl, der tilhører familien af egentlige andefugle. Den yngler i søer og floder i skovområder af Europa, det nordlige og centrale Asien samt Nordamerika.
Large, elongated with a narrow, hooked red bill. The male white with a pink flush and a blackish-green head; the female has a chestnut head with a small crest and a sharp white cut-off to the grey breast.
Can be confused with
- Red-breasted Merganser — Red-breasted Merganser is slimmer with a smaller head, a thinner bill and a big spiky crest; its female lacks the sharp cut-off between brown head and white breast.
Plumage and variation
Male and female: Sexes differ clearly: the male white with a blackish-green head, the female grey with a chestnut head.
Behaviour
Dives for fish; sits low and streamlined, often in flocks on lakes, fjords and sheltered coasts in winter.
When and where
A rare breeder in Denmark but a very common winter visitor on fresh water and sheltered coasts.
Facts
Wingspan
93 cm
Conservation status
ikke truet
Relatives
Family
ducks, geese and swans
Anatidae
Order
waterfowl
Anseriformes
Know this bird? Share how you recognise it with other birders.
No field marks yet. Be the first to share how you recognise this bird!
Tap the ones that fit this bird.