Red-breasted Merganser

In breeding plumage, the male has a dark, green-sheened head above a white neck and rusty breast, with a black back and pale underside. A spiky crest and long, narrow red bill shape his profile. Females are grey-brown with a rusty head and shorter crest; unlike female Common Mergansers, they lack a pale patch beneath the bill.

It dives from the surface to chase fish underwater, using the serrated edges of its bill to hold slippery prey. During courtship, females give a rasping "prrak prrak" and males a mewing call; outside those displays, it is mostly quiet. Males also stretch and bend their necks in repeated displays while floating.

It breeds around freshwater lakes and rivers across northern parts of North America and Eurasia. Most move to coastal waters farther south for winter, though some northwestern European populations stay year-round or travel only short distances. Small fish make up most of its diet, along with aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans and amphibians.