Habitat ³

Ponds, small lakes and slow-moving rivers. Nests in tree cavities in forested wetlands.

Distribution ³

Yukon: An uncommon summer visitor to the southern Yukon; un- doubtedly breeds, but no evidence yet.
North America: Central BC and southwestern Alberta south to Oregon; from central Saskatchewan east to Nova Scotia and south to Florida and Louisiana. Winters from southern BC to central California, and from Wisconsin and New York south to the Texas Gulf Coast.

Distinguishing Features ³

Smaller than other mergansers; males have a distinctive circular crest with a large white patch outlined in black, a black face and rusty sides. The female has a bushy, rufous crest.

Report Sightings: During breeding season (June - July) ³

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Henry T. McLin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/95014738@N00/355334429
2. (c) Mr.TinDC, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/7040738249/
3. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNaturalist.ca taxon page
• All About Birds-- The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• CalPhotos
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• NBN Atlas
• VertNet
• Xeno-canto

Range Map

(c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

iNaturalist.ca Map