male
Common mergansers winter in the Klamath Basin and some raise broods on high elevation lakes and rivers in locations such as Lake of the Woods, Diamond Lake and similar small lakes in the coniferous forest zones along the edge of the "Basin." They eat almost exclusively fish and other aquatic animals. They are classed as a diving duck and are seen in deeper water than mallards and other dabbloing ducks. They are
abundant at the south end of Upper Klamath Lake, Link River, Lake Euwana and some other fairly large waterbodies throughout the winter months. (text by FWS Dave Menke)
Jacqui Krizo, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, Siskiyou Co., Ca. (tour route). January 2007
