Mergus serrator (Linné 1758), Red-breasted merganser (Anatidae)

Compiled by: Christof Herrmann, Henrik Skov & Wlodzimierz Meissner

1. Description of the Habitat/Autecology of the species

The red-breasted merganser breeds in most coastal habitat types found in the Baltic Sea, with the main habitat being sheltered, shallow coasts, including archipelagos, fjords and lagoons.

2. Distribution, past and presence

The species has a northerly breeding distribution in Europe with the majority of the population found in Scandinavia (Hagemeijer & Blair, 1997; BirdLife International, 2004). 

3. Importance (Sub-regional, Baltic-wide, Global)

No recent estimates of the total Baltic breeding population are available. However, the Baltic Sea houses a large proportion of the European breeding population.

4. Status of threat/decline

Declines in the breeding population have been recorded in Germany since 1985 and in Sweden since 1990, while recent population trends in Denmark have been stabile (Grell, 1998; Hälterlein et al., 2000; BirdLife International, 2004).

5. Threat/decline factors

Tourism and predators are important factors behind the recent trends in Germany (Hälterlein et al., 2000).

6. Options for improvements

Habitat management and predator control in coastal areas of Germany.

7. References

BirdLife International 2004. Birds in Europe. Population estimates, trends and conservation status. BirdLife Conservation series 12, Cambridge, UK. 374 pp.

Grell, M.B. (1998). Fuglenes Danmark. GAD, København.

Hälterlein, B., Südbeck, P., Knief, W. & Köppen, U. 2000. Brutbestandentwicklung der Küstenvögel an Nord- und Ostsee unter besondere Berücksichtigung der 1990er Jahre. Vogelwelt 121: 241-267.