Field Notes: HOODED MERGANSER
Male and female Hooded Merganser
I find Hooded Merganser to be one of the most striking of the duck species, especially when displaying. Hooded Merganser are diving ducks with a somewhat narrow bill and a crest on the back of their head they can raise and lower.
The female has a grey-ish body with a brown crest. This photos shows a female displaying (raising her crest) while flapping her wings.
Female Hooded Merganser displaying
The male is very distinctive, with a mostly black body, brown on the wings, and patches of white. The most distinctive part of the male is the white patch on the crest. Unfortunately, I don't yet have a photo of a male displaying.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite duck species.
Male Hooded Merganser