Nutrition
Common mergansers are an essential predator of aquatic
ecosystems. They are actually considered to be top predators in the aquatic
food chain feeding on many small fish. Common mergansers are
built for
obtaining and consuming fish. Their long, thin bodies make them excellent
divers and swimmers. The becks of common mergansers contain saw-like teeth
to help them capture prey. Common mergansers feed on a wide array of fish
depending on the habitat of the birds. Some fish that common merganser feed
upon include
large mouth
bass, perch, trout, and
salmon. Fish are the primary food source for common mergansers however
they will also feed on mollusks, crustaceans, insects, worms, frogs, and
even small mammals and birds. They have also been known to feed on aquatic
plants in some instances but these birds are mostly carnivorous. Common
mergansers prefer clear water for feeding because they use sight as the main
means of acquiring prey. One it comes to feeding, these birds are most
active early morning after dawn, in the afternoon, and before dusk.
Common mergansers are mostly carnivorous creatures.
Carnivores tend to use more energy to acquire their food but the food it
better quality. Common mergansers have a closed digestive tract which is
used to break down and absorb nutrients. Food enters the mouth and moves
down the esophagus to the stomach. It then travels down the small and large
intestine and is excreted from the body. As food moves down the bird’s
digestive tract, it is broken down and nutrients are absorbed into the blood
stream. Common mergansers have a closed circulatory system which contains a
four-chambered heart and two circuits. One circuit travels from the heart to
the lungs and back. The other circuit travels from the heart to all over the
body. There are many different benefits to having a closed circulatory
system. One benefit is enough pressure to maintain a high flow rate. Another
benefit is precise alteration of blood flow.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? contact me at bales.aman@students.uwlax.edu
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