Photo: BS Thurner Hof / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Scaly-sided Merganser
Mergus squamatus
Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 1.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Mergus
- Species squamatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Scaly-sided Merganser hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Scaly-sided Merganser is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus) is a species of bird in the Anatidae family, part of the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL e Siberia, Korean Pen. and ne China.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 25.6 cm and a tail of around 9.9 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 303,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Scaly-sided Merganser?
The Scaly-sided Merganser is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.
Where does the Scaly-sided Merganser live?
The Scaly-sided Merganser is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL e Siberia, Korean Pen. and ne China, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Scaly-sided Merganser belong to?
The Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Scaly-sided Merganser eat?
The Scaly-sided Merganser hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Scaly-sided Merganser migrate?
The Scaly-sided Merganser is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Scaly-sided Merganser endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Scaly-sided Merganser make?
1 real field recording of the Scaly-sided Merganser — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Scaly-sided Merganser's range?
The Scaly-sided Merganser has a mapped global range of about 303,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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