Common Merganser

Drove north on Illinois Rt 25 along the Fox River looking for eagles and a large duck called common merganser.  This is a male (bottom) and female (top) common merganser, also called a fish duck since they eat mainly fish. The male has a green head/neck and a long red bill.  The female has a cinnamon colored head and crest which can't be seen very well in this photo. They winter in this area and summer in Canada.

The mergansers flew away as ducks often do when people approach. I think they are used to being hunted and shot, and wariness of people is therefore a virtue but not helpful for photos.

Fox River just south of the U.S. Route 30 bridge, Montgomery, Illinois.