The Common Merganser is a sleek, fish-eating duck with a striking appearance—males display a glossy dark head and crisp white body, while females are distinguished by their soft gray bodies and tousled reddish crests. Often seen gliding along rivers and lakes, it moves with quiet confidence, its slender body perfectly built for life on the water. Its long, serrated bill—sometimes called a “sawbill”—is uniquely adapted to grip slippery fish, making it a highly skilled and efficient hunter beneath the surface.