Sea Ducks (sub-family - Merginae) include the following species of duck: Bufflehead, Eiders (Common, King, Spectacled, and Steller's), Goldeneyes (Barrow's and Common), Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Mergansers (Brazilian, Scaly-sided, Common, Hooded, and Red-breasted), Scoters (Black, Common, Surf, Velvet, and White-winged), and Smew.
Many sea ducks winter along the coasts and have developed specialized salt glands to allow them to tolerate salt water. In the breeding season they may lay their eggs further inland by lakes, streams and rivers, because the young take time to develop their ability to tolerate salt water.
The Mergansers and the Smew are fish eating ducks and have a serrated beak which helps them to grasp their prey when diving for food. Other sea ducks will feed on molluscs and crustaceans from the sea floor.
Click on the Duck photographs to enlarge them or if you click on the Duck's name then it will take you to another page with information, more photos, and sometimes a video of that particular Duck.
Click on the Duck photographs to enlarge them or if you click on the Duck's name then it will take you to another page with information, more photos, and sometimes a video of that particular Duck.