Female common merganser. Photographed Dec 28, 2025, from Olympic Discovery Trail
From Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Common Mergansers usually nest in natural tree cavities or holes carved out by large woodpeckers. Sometimes mergansers take up residence in nest boxes, provided the entrance hole is large enough. On occasion they use rock crevices, holes in the ground, hollow logs, old buildings, and chimneys.
Wow. Am I alone in being amazed to learn these large ducks can nest in holes carved out by woodpeckers and also sometimes wedge themselves into chimneys?
Sorry, but there’s nothing common about these birds.
Tracy Abell 