Red-breasted Merganser
VU

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

UnknownNTEUNTEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-breasted_merganser

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Red-breasted Mergansers face significant population declines primarily due to habitat degradation in their coastal wintering areas and breeding wetlands. Climate change is altering the timing and availability of their fish prey, while coastal development reduces critical shallow water foraging areas. Oil spills and marine pollution pose acute threats to wintering populations concentrated along coastlines.

Threat summary

Habitat

Red-breasted Mergansers breed in freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal areas across northern regions, preferring wooded shorelines with clear water for fishing. During winter, they inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and large inland water bodies where they can dive for small fish.

FRESHWATER· majorMARINE· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Red-breasted Merganser classified as Vulnerable?
Red-breasted Merganser is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Red-breasted Mergansers face significant population declines primarily due to habitat degradation in their coastal wintering areas and breeding wetlands. Climate change is altering the timing and availability of their fish prey, while coastal development reduces critical shallow water foraging areas. Oil spills and marine pollution pose acute threats to wintering populations concentrated along coastlines.
Where does Red-breasted Merganser live?
Red-breasted Merganser occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Red-breasted Merganser?
The main threats to Red-breasted Merganser are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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