Common or Red-breasted Merganser in Santa Cruz, California (1 Viewer)

[vbnut]

I took these photos on shortly before noon on September 15, 2022 at the San Lorenzo river in Santa Cruz, California. I believe they are either Common Mergansers or Red-breasted Mergansers, but I'm not sure which. There were quite a few of them swimming in the river that day. Can anyone help me out?

 

[raymie]

Red-breasted. 100%.

 

[birdmeister]

I tend to think all the photos show Common Merganser. I don't think the bill is thin enough (especially at base), and all photos seem to show a good contrast between white chin/throat and reddish brown cheeks/face.

 

[opisska]

Fun bird, pretty sure it's Common, bill too thick, neck contrast still too much.

 

[Rotherbirder]

Common, without a doubt.

RB

 

[Butty]

Do you have more photos? - especially of less wet/bedraggled-looking birds?

 

[THE_FERN]

Look like goosander (=common) to me. Certainly the first which has a clearly white breast. All have fairly clearly defined white chins and thick bill bases.

 

[vbnut]

Do you have more photos? - especially of less wet/bedraggled-looking birds?

I have more, but these are by far the best because they were relatively close to me. All of them were wet because they were constantly diving.

 

[vbnut]

Thanks everyone, especially for explaining your choice. Hopefully that will help me in the future.

 

[Butty]

these are by far the best

It is very often not the best ones that turn out to be the best for identification. So seeing a range of others, regardless of quality, could certainly help.

 

[BAL Land]

100% Common.