Common Merganser & Horned Grebe

Description:

Female Common Merganser (left), Horned Grebe (right) spotted at Flamingo, Everglades National Park, Florida. Both are uncommon to South Florida.

Habitat:

The Common Merganser usually nests in tree cavities, either those made by large woodpeckers or from where a limb broke off. It will also use a nest box. Infrequently a Common Merganser might make its nest in a rock crevice, a hole in the ground, a hollow log, in an old building, or in a chimney. It breeds along lakes and rivers bordered by forests. Winters on large lakes, rivers, coastal bays, and estuaries. (credit: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Commo...) The Horned Grebe is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The Horned Grebe is a small grebe at 31–38 centimetres (12–15 in) long with a 46–55 centimetres (18–22 in) wingspan. Unmistakable in summer, the plumage of both male and female includes a black head with brown puffy earlike tufts along the sides of its face. It shows a deep red neck, scarlet eyes, and a small, straight black bill tipped with white. It rides high in the water. Horned Grebes breed in remote inland parts of the United States and much of Canada. Most birds migrate in winter to the coast. (credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horned_Greb...)

Notes:

Female Common Merganser Description: Head rusty brown with short, ragged crest. Chin white. Breast, back, wings, and tail slaty gray. Belly and flanks white. Bill scarlet-orange. White patch in wing visible in flight.