Common or Red-breasted Merganser? - So. Cal. (1 Viewer)

D

dant1999

Well-known member

• Mar 23, 2010

• #1

I saw this bird on Saturday morning at the Castaic Lagoon in the hills northeast of Los Angeles. Is this a common or a red-breasted merganser? I presume it's immature male or female. Which species and gender is this, and how do you reach your conclusion?

 

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James Lidster

Well-known member

• Mar 23, 2010

• #2

This is a female Common Merganser (Goosander), the contrast between the rusty head and grey neck is more clear cut (demarcated) than on RB Merg. Common Mergs also have 'cleaner' looking faces as opposed to the darker face and throat of RBM.
Cheers
James

 

D

dant1999

Well-known member

• Mar 23, 2010

• #3

Thanks. My initial impression was that this was common but the long crest caused me to second-guess.

 

Quercus

homo sarkensis

• Mar 23, 2010

• #4

Both show crests... which they can raise or lower... the clear line between brown head and pale neck is the best diagnostic!

 

George Edwards

Nom de plume

• Mar 23, 2010

• #5

Agreed, Common Merganser (Goosander). Here are some Red-breasted Mergansers I saw at the weekend near Cannes, with the diffuse neckline. But I'm not sure if they're juvenile or female.

 

C

Cheshire Birder

Well-known member

• Mar 23, 2010

• #6

Another vote for Goosander.

CB