Red-breasted Merganser vs Scaly-sided Merganser

Mergus serrator compared with Mergus squamatus

Key Differences

• Red-breasted Merganser is Least Concern while Scaly-sided Merganser is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red-breasted Merganser	Scaly-sided Merganser
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Aves (Birds)	Aves (Birds)
Order same	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family same	Anatidae	Anatidae
Genus same	Mergus	Mergus
Species	Mergus serrator	Mergus squamatus

Evolutionary Relationship

Red-breasted Merganser and Scaly-sided Merganser share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Mergus.

Conservation Status

Red-breasted Merganser

LC — Least Concern

Scaly-sided Merganser

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red-breasted Merganser	Scaly-sided Merganser
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Red-breasted Merganser

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (5 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia).

Scaly-sided Merganser

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Taiwan. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇹🇼 Taiwan