ML642822357

Observation details

This juvenile merganser puzzled me because of the apparent lack of any crest. I thought at first it was a Red-breasted (size was not very helpful at this distance), but the bill in a RBME would be longer and narrower, and it would be entirely red or orangish red, whereas the upper mandible on this bird is dark grey and only the lower mandible is orangish. Also, the way the tail is cocked upward when swimming--a bit like a Ruddy Duck--is something I've seen HOMEs do but not RBMEs.