Common or Red Breasted Merganser, Wyoming (1 Viewer)

[kingzig]

Looks like a common merganser, but need a confirmation. Tetons, Wyoming

 

[apcdave]

correct - goosander as we call 'em over here

 

[Corvus cornix]

Yes, it's a Common Merganser. The clean border between the brown of the head and the breast is a key feature, on Red-breasted it's not nearly so well defined.

Cheers

 

[Nutcracker]

Ditto to Common Merganser :t:

correct - goosander as we call 'em over here

Different subspecies though:
Goosander = Mergus merganser merganser
Common Merganser = Mergus merganser americanus
A potential split, one day, perhaps . . . :brains:

 

[GreatBlueHeron15]

Def a common female. Red breasted Mergansers, both male+ female have that shaggy crest. Only female commons have the shaggy crest, the males have a smoother green head. Love these birds. There was a problem with them dying last winter where I live because Lake Erie was freezing over and they weren't able to get enough food. I found so many dead ones last winter