Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Common Merganser


Common Merganser aka. Buff-breasted Merganser aka. Sawbill aka. Fish Duck aka. Goosander
Lake Tahoe, California, USA
June 2015
Member of the Ducks, Geese, and Swans Family
§A Flush of Ducks§

{Etymology Corner} The name Merganser comes from the latin for Plunging Goose.
How good of a name is it? 7/10 It's pretty cool sounding, and it's fairly literal, as this is a large water bird that does a lot of diving. Could be better if it weren't misidentified as a goose or if the name mentioned that unusual toothed bills.

~true bird fact~ Common Mergansers are quite some hunters. They're got those teeth in their bills so that they can seize prey underwater. Other birds have been known to take advantage of this, following flocks of feeding Mergansers and trying to steal fish from them as they surface. Prime offenders are Seagulls and Bald Eagles, which makes sense, as both are well known layabouts.

Has a good personality, like all ducks. Affable
Often misspeaks or makes gaffes, but doesn't seem bothered by it
Often ahead of the curve on social issues
A real sweet-talker

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