Jan. 23, 2026: During winter months, the male Common Merganser shows a brilliant white body, glossy dark green head, narrow red bill, and black back, creating a sleek, high-contrast diving duck on cold coastal waters. This male was recently seen on Bourne’s Pond in East Falmouth.

On Falmouth ponds in January, the male Common Merganser is a crisp, high-contrast winter presence, especially striking against steel-gray water and muted coastal light. His brilliant white body appears clean and luminous, sharply set off by a glossy dark green head that can look nearly black at a distance. A jet-black back and wings complete the bold, tuxedo-like pattern, giving the bird a sleek, powerful profile both at rest and in motion.

Equally distinctive is the merganser’s long, narrow red bill, finely lined with sharp, backward-pointing serrations, a true fish-catching tool. Often described as “saw-like,” this bill allows the merganser to grip slippery prey with remarkable efficiency once underwater. Unlike dabbling ducks, the male Common Merganser is a strong, purposeful diver, using powerful feet to propel himself beneath the surface, pursuing fish with speed and precision. When he resurfaces, the bill’s design ensures that prey is firmly held, making this species one of the most specialized and effective fish hunters among North American ducks.