Adult red-breasted merganser

This duck is a member of the group called the sawbills because of its long, serrated bill. This proves useful for catching slippery fish. The red-breasted merganser is long and streamlined – great for swimming after its fish prey.
The red-breasted merganser nests on lakes and rivers in the UK, and you are more likely to spot them in the winter months.
This is a male red-breasted merganser. The females are a brownish grey all over. Difference between male and female appearance is called sexual dimorphism.
The fastest duck ever recorded was a red-breasted merganser. It reached a top speed of 100mph while being pursued by an aeroplane!