Red-Breasted Mergansers

If you’re a regular visitor, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve posted several pictures of red breasted mergansers. Perhaps because it’s a bird I’ve only seen occasionally, I’ve focused in on it this year.

I began to notice their arrival about three weeks ago on Ruston Way. About two weeks ago I spotted one on my way to Port Orchard. I managed to get what I thought was a couple of pretty good shots when I was at Fort Flagler.

Although I’ve never seen them in the Port Orchard marina before, there were several there when I was there on the 12th. I really like this shot of what I think is a female Red-Breasted Merganser.

female Red-Breasted Merganser

This shot, though, makes me question any identification as male or female at this time of year.

three mergansers in different stages of breeding plumage

I’m sure all three of these birds are male mergansers, and I’m positive the one in the front is. However, the two in the back definitely shows signs of male plumage, and they look remarkably similar to female plumage.

My favorite shot of the week, a week full of shots I really liked, is this one of the male merganser taking off.

merganser taking off

This certainly seems like the climax of a long period of trying to get a good shot of a Red-Breasted Merganser. I’m not sure how I can trump it in the future.

2 thoughts on “Red-Breasted Mergansers”

  1. Loren,

    I believe you are correct on your merganser IDs, based on the pictures in Stokes. The bottom two look to be first winter males, as indicated by the black around their eyes and bills.

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