Family Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
Endangered
Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus)
Taxonomy
French: Harle de Chine German: Schuppensäger Spanish: Serreta china
Taxonomy:
Mergus squamatus
Gould
, 1864,China
.Distribution:
Breeds in extreme SE Siberia, NE China and N Korea. Winters mainly in C & S China (especially in R Yangtze catchment); also in SE Russia, Korea, Japan, occasionally Taiwan, Myanmar and Thailand.
Descriptive notes
52–62 cm; male 1125–1400 g, female 870–1100 g; wingspan 70–86 cm. Structurally intermediate between M. merganser and M. serrator.... read more
Voice
Generally silent but vocalizations much like those of M. serrator, though also makes deep... read more
Habitat
During breeding season, inhabits well-forested, clear, fast-flowing mountain rivers and rapid... read more
Food and feeding
Until recently few data available, but several studies have now elucidated the species’ diet and foraging behaviour. Diurnal feeder,... read more
Breeding
Little known until recently. During local spring: arrives on breeding grounds late Mar/early Apr, initially frequents lakes and larger... read more
Movements
Migratory (though true extent still not entirely known), mainly present on breeding grounds between... read more
Status and conservation
ENDANGERED. Fully protected in all range states. Poorly known, population probably quite small, but has been suggested that perhaps as many as 10,000 individuals survive,... read more
Recent phylogenetic study found this species to be basal to M. merganser#R. Monotypic.