Hooded Merganser
Hooded Merganser Overview
The hooded merganser is a small fish-eating duck that can be seen on shallow ponds. Adult males in breeding season have a circular crest with a large white patch, golden eyes, black face, white chest with black and white stripes on the sides and a dark bill. In non-breeding season they have a grayish-brown back, breast and sides, a white belly, yellow eyes and a black bill.
Adult females have a brown body, a small white patch on the chin and at the base of the wings. Their eyes are brown and their upper mandible is a blackish green with an orange edge. Their lower mandible is yellow or orange.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a male Hooded Merganser look like?
Breeding males have a distinctive fan-shaped white crest on the head, black face, golden eyes, and white chest with bold black stripes. In non-breeding season, their plumage is more subdued with gray-brown tones.
How can you identify a female Hooded Merganser?
Females have a brown body with a slight crest, a small white patch on the chin and wing base, and brown eyes. Their bills are bicolored - blackish-green above and orange below.
Where do Hooded Mergansers live?
They are typically found on shallow freshwater ponds, rivers, and swamps. Sightings in Hawaii are rare and usually involve migratory individuals.
What do Hooded Mergansers eat?
They primarily eat fish, which they catch by diving underwater. Their narrow, serrated bills are well-adapted for gripping slippery prey.
Where do Hooded Mergansers nest?
They usually nest in tree cavities near water. The female lays eggs in the cavity and raises the ducklings, which jump from the nest shortly after hatching.