male Red-breasted Merganser

The Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) is a medium-sized diving duck belonging to the so-called sawbills. The species occurs almost throughout the northern hemisphere including North America, Europe, and northern Asia. The birds are exceptionally good swimmers and dive several metres to catch their prey (e.g., small fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and insects). They live mostly along coasts, islands, larger lakes, and rivers. Today, these pretty birds can be seen quite commonly along European coasts. Nevertheless, scientists predict a massive northward shift of populations due to the current global warming. Following these assumptions, it can be expected that the Red-breasted Merganser will cease breeding in most parts of Central Europe until the end of the 21st century. I have photographed these elegant birds at the coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Germany in May and June 2014.

male Red-breasted Merganser

male Red-breasted Merganser

female Red-breasted Merganser

female Red-breasted Merganser

male and female Red-breasted Merganser

male Red-breasted Merganser

male Red-breasted Merganser

female Red-breasted Merganser

female Red-breasted Merganser

flying Red-breasted Merganser

female and male Red-breasted Merganser

female and male Red-breasted Merganser

female and male Red-breasted Merganser

male Red-breasted Merganser

male Red-breasted Merganser with fish