Common mergansers, also known as goosanders, are large diving ducks found across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are one of the largest members of the merganser family and can grow to rather substantial sizes. In this article, we will explore various metrics related to the size of common mergansers including their length, wingspan, weight, and dimensions compared to other birds.
How long do common mergansers grow?
Common mergansers are relatively long ducks with slender, serpentine necks. Their body length ranges from 53-67 cm (21-26 in) depending on whether you are measuring a male or female. Males tend to be larger than females.
Some key facts about common merganser length:
– Males have an average body length of 62 cm (24 in)
– Females have an average length of 56 cm (22 in)
– The longest recorded male was 67 cm (26.4 in)
– The longest recorded female was 63 cm (24.8 in)
To put their size into perspective, common mergansers are noticeably larger than mallards. A male mallard’s average length is around 58 cm (23 in) compared to the 62 cm (24 in) average for a common merganser male. The size difference is even more apparent between the females of each species.
Bill Length
In addition to their long bodies, common mergansers have very long, narrow bills. Their bills account for about 2.5-5 inches (6-13 cm) of their total head-to-tail length.
Some key facts about common merganser bill length:
– Males have bills 5-6.4 cm (2-2.5 inches) long
– Females have bills 5.6-5.8 cm (2.2-2.3 inches) long
– Their bills have serrated edges to help grip slippery fish
– Their bills have a hook at the end to snag and grasp prey
The merganser’s elongated bill helps it snatch fish and aquatic prey while swimming underwater. It can open its bill and flare its tongue to suck in food like a tube.
What is the wingspan of common mergansers?
Common mergansers have broad, wide wingspans to provide lift and propulsion as they take off from water surfaces. Their wingspans range from 72-102 cm (28-40 in).
Some key facts about common merganser wingspan:
– Males have an average wingspan of 86 cm (34 in)
– Females have a slightly smaller average wingspan of 82 cm (32 in)
– The largest recorded wingspan for a male was 102 cm (40 in)
– The largest recorded wingspan for a female was 95 cm (37 in)
To visualize how wide common merganser wings are, their wingspans are comparable to widths of:
– An average computer desk
– A large garbage can
– A twin-sized bed
Their expansive wings allow common mergansers to lift their sizable bodies out of the water when taking off. Their broad wings also enable excellent aerial maneuverability.
Surface Area and Loading
The large surface area of common merganser wings generates enough lift force to raise their heavy bodies out of the water. To achieve flight, they have a lower wing loading ratio compared to many other birds.
Wing loading refers to the ratio of a bird’s weight to its wing surface area. Common mergansers have a wing loading ratio around 55 g/cm2 (2 oz/in2). By comparison mallards have a wing loading of around 75 g/cm2 (2.7 oz/in2).
The merganser’s lower wing loading allows it to take flight despite its heavy weight. However, their wings are not as adept at generating thrust and speed once airborne compared to birds with higher wing loadings.
How much do common mergansers weigh?
Common mergansers are one of the heaviest duck species. These large diving ducks weigh between 0.9-2.1 kg (2-4.5 lbs).
Some key facts about common merganser weight:
– Male weight ranges from 1.36-2.1 kg (3-4.6 lbs)
– Female weight ranges from 0.9-1.6 kg (2-3.5 lbs)
– Males average around 1.8 kg (4 lbs)
– Females average around 1.3 kg (3 lbs)
To illustrate their hefty weight, here are some examples of other objects that weigh about the same as a male common merganser:
Object | Weight |
---|---|
A gallon of milk | 1.8 kg (4 lbs) |
A pineapple | 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs) |
A large sack of potatoes | 1.8 kg (4 lbs) |
The common merganser’s heavy weight is distributed over its large frame and helps it dive underwater to catch fish. Males weigh more than females on average.
Density and Buoyancy
Common mergansers have dense bodies with a high ratio of mass to volume. This gives them a weighty, solid feel in water. Their density ranges between 0.8-1.05 g/cm3.
By comparison, the density of water is 1 g/cm3. This means common mergansers are nearly as dense as freshwater itself. Their dense composition gives them a low buoyancy ratio for floating on the surface. But it also allows them to readily dive beneath the water.
How do common merganser sizes compare to other birds?
Common mergansers are much larger than many familiar backyard birds and ducks. But they are smaller than some swans, geese, and large predatory birds.
Comparison to Mallards
Here is a comparison of common merganser size metrics vs mallards:
Attribute | Common Merganser | Mallard |
---|---|---|
Length | 53-67 cm (21-26 in) | 48-63 cm (19-25 in) |
Wingspan | 72-102 cm (28-40 in) | 81-95 cm (32-37 in) |
Weight | 0.9-2.1 kg (2-4.5 lbs) | 0.9-1.2 kg (2-2.7 lbs) |
As you can see, common mergansers are significantly larger than mallards across all size metrics. Their long serpentine necks, wide wingspans, and heavier weights differentiate them from this more familiar duck species.
Comparison to Hawks
Compared to birds of prey like hawks, common mergansers are generally much heavier but have smaller wingspans:
Attribute | Common Merganser | Red-Tailed Hawk |
---|---|---|
Length | 53-67 cm (21-26 in) | 45-65 cm (18-26 in) |
Wingspan | 72-102 cm (28-40 in) | 114-137 cm (45-54 in) |
Weight | 0.9-2.1 kg (2-4.5 lbs) | 0.95-1.5 kg (2.1-3.3 lbs) |
Red-tailed hawks have a much greater wingspan than common mergansers to aid hunting maneuvers. But mergansers outweigh these raptors by a wide margin and have stockier bodies.
Comparison to Swans
Finally, common mergansers look diminutive next to large waterfowl like swans:
Attribute | Common Merganser | Trumpeter Swan |
---|---|---|
Length | 53-67 cm (21-26 in) | 132-165 cm (52-65 in) |
Wingspan | 72-102 cm (28-40 in) | 185-250 cm (73-98 in) |
Weight | 0.9-2.1 kg (2-4.5 lbs) | 7-14 kg (15-31 lbs) |
Trumpeter swans stand over 2 meters tall and can outweigh mergansers by a factor of 10. Common mergansers are dwarfed by these gigantic waterfowl in every dimension.
Conclusion
In summary, common mergansers are one of the larger duck species, but are smaller than many other water birds. Some key facts about their size include:
- Males grow to around 62 cm (24 in) long and weigh 1.8 kg (4 lbs)
- Females are smaller at 56 cm (22 in) long and 1.3 kg (3 lbs)
- Wingspans range from 72-102 cm (28-40 in) across both genders
- Their elongated bills measure 5-6.4 cm (2-2.5 in) on males
- They are noticeably bigger than mallards but smaller than swans and eagles
Their large size aids their diving and underwater fishing capabilities. Their broad wings provide enough lift to become airborne despite heavy weights. Next time you see a common merganser, take a moment to appreciate just how big these ducks grow.