Facts about Red-breasted Merganser

1. 07

   Young red-breasted merganser ducklings can dive and forage for food within hours of hatching, demonstrating precocial development typical of dabbling and diving duck species.

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2. 06

   Mergansers possess elongated, narrow bills with serrated edges specifically adapted for gripping slippery prey like small fish and crustaceans in freshwater and coastal environments.

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3. 05

   North American populations of red-breasted mergansers winter primarily along Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, with males typically arriving at breeding grounds 2 to 3 weeks before females in spring.

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4. 04

   Red-breasted mergansers migrate annually across North America, with populations traveling over 2,000 miles between Arctic breeding grounds and coastal wintering areas.

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5. 03

   Breeding males of the red-breasted merganser develop distinctive double-crested head plumage during spring courtship displays to attract mates.

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6. 02

   Female red-breasted mergansers produce clutches of 5 to 17 eggs, with incubation lasting approximately 29 to 35 days before ducklings hatch.

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7. 01

   Diving speeds of red-breasted mergansers can reach 45 miles per hour when pursuing fish underwater with their serrated bills.

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