Scientific Name: Mergus merganser

Residency: Winters throughout Arizona; year-round in eastern part of state.

Diet: Eats mostly fish, also crustaceans and mollusks.

Predators: Hawks, owls, Bald and Golden Eagles and tree climbing snakes.

Nesting: In tree cavity, nest box or on ground, lined with down and made of weeds and roots. Eggs:  8-11 per clutch, buff, 1 brood per year.

Nesting Records:

Notes: Displays involve chasing on water, in air and underwater attacks. Other species such as Bald Eagles or gulls will follow them around and try to steal the fish they catch.

Photo: To be added.

To return to bird species list, close or minimize this window.