Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)

Hauled out on the beach, this species seems to have a perennial bad hair day. Although resembling a female, I believe this is an immature male based on its black scapulars and vermiculated gray flanks. It takes two years before they acquire full breeding plumage. They are similar to the Common Merganser, but have a more shaggy reddish-brown head without contrasting crisp white area on the chin and throat. Red-breasted also has a slimmer somewhat upturned bill as seen here. The bird on the right is a Laughing Gull.