- Mergus squamatus
Identification
52-58cm. Mature males have a creamy-white breast and underparts, greyish-black upperparts, and a glossy greenish-black head and neck with a long, droopy, shaggy crest. Females have a buffiy head and neck and a wispy crest. Both sexes have long, serrated orange-red bills and legs and feet.
Distribution
South-east Russia, North Korea and north-east China. They are migratory, wintering in central and southern China, with small numbers in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, northern Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Fast-flowing mountain rivers and rapid streams, in primary forests. The non-breeding season is spent on larger lakes and slower rivers and lagoons.
Behaviour
Nests are built in tree holes up to 18 m above the ground, lined with down. 4-12 eggs are laid and incubated by the females for 31-35 days.
The diet includes small fish as well as insect larvae, shrimps, crayfish and beetles.
