Breeding Birds of North Dakota

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser (Linnaeus))

Breeding Range. Apparently, breeding populations have been completely extirpated from the state. According to Wood (1923) this species occurred in small colonies in timber in the region of Devils Lake, and a few males were seen in the Turtle Mountains. He reported that egg sets were completed from about May 26 to June 1, 1921; in one colony most of the eggs hatched from June 20 to 25. During July 16-17, 1909, Vernon Bailey observed a pair several times on Lake Metigoshe in the Turtle Mountains.

It is probable that the disappearance of breeding Common Mergansers, particularly in the Devils Lake area, was related to a marked deterioration in water quality that was associated with lowered water levels.