merganser

noun

mer·​gan·​ser (ˌ)mər-ˈgan(t)-sər 

: any of various fish-eating diving ducks (especially genus Mergus) with a slender bill hooked at the end and serrated along the margins and usually a crested head see common merganser

Illustration of merganser

Examples of merganser in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to bald eagles, other wildlife seen on the tour over the year includes: three types of grebes, three types of swans, three types of mergansers, many different gulls, loons, golden eagle, coyote, fox, deer, many hawk species, three types of seals and bobcats. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2024

Some species, including wood ducks, buffleheads and mergansers, will stay in the forested areas of Wisconsin and Minnesota to nest in tree cavities. —Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024

Common and red-breasted mergansers, also known as fish ducks, do indeed eat a wide variety of fish, including salmon smolts, trout, minnows, shad, and game fish. —M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 2 Nov. 2023

Passengers may spy mergansers and mallards, deer, and even black bears. —Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin mergus, a waterfowl (from mergere) + anser goose — more at goose

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing merganser

• common merganser

Kids Definition

merganser

noun

mer·​gan·​ser (ˌ)mər-ˈgan(t)-sər 

plural mergansers or merganser

: any of various fish-eating wild ducks with a slender bill hooked at the end and usually with a bunch of feathers on the head that point backward