Bird field guide · Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Photographing the Common Merganser

How to photograph the Common Merganser (Mergus merganser): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (February, March and April).

30–160 cm1/2000–1/3200 s
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
Photo: © Nigel Voaden, some rights reserved (CC BY) via iNaturalist
30–160 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/640 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
79,738
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/640 s
Shutter (action)1/2000–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 95 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)62 mm93 mm41 mm31 mm
10 m (33 ft)124 mm186 mm82 mm62 mm
15 m (49 ft)185 mm279 mm124 mm93 mm
20 m (66 ft)247 mm372 mm165 mm124 mm
30 m (98 ft)371 mm558 mm247 mm185 mm
50 m (164 ft)618 mm930 mm412 mm309 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 10% Jan Feb: 11% Feb Mar: 14% Mar Apr: 14% Apr May: 10% May Jun: 7% Jun Jul: 7% Jul Aug: 6% Aug Sep: 6% Sep Oct: 4% Oct Nov: 5% Nov Dec: 7% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: February, March and April.

About the Common Merganser#

The common merganser (North American) or goosander (Eurasian) (Mergus merganser) is a large duck of rivers and lakes in forested areas of Europe, northern and central Asia, and North America.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Winter is peak season for colourful drakes.
  • Morning side-light reveals iridescent head colours.
  • Get low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.
  • Sightings peak in February, March and April, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Ducks, Geese, and Swans#

Mallard MallardAnas platyrhynchos Canada Goose Canada GooseBranta canadensis Wood DuckAix sponsa Bufflehead BuffleheadBucephala albeola Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata American Wigeon American WigeonMareca americana Hooded Merganser Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatus Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Common Merganser?

At about 95 cm long, a common merganser fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 124 mm, or at 20 m with 247 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Common Merganser?

1/640 s when it's still; 1/2000–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Common Merganser?

Observations in North America peak in February, March and April. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources