hooded merganser mating

The Hooded Mergansers have a crest at the back of the head which can be expanded or contracted. The Hooded Merganser is a small (length 46 cm) duck with a thin, serrated bill and a puffy crest. Breeding in North America: Alaska to nw USA, se Canada to se USA; can be seen in 30 countries. There is also a population that breeds in the American northwest and southwestern Canada. The occurrence of breeding hooded mergansers nearly tripled in Vermont between 1981-2007, according to findings of the first and second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas, edited by … They remain together until the female has selected a nesting cavity and completed laying her … During non-breeding season the male takes on a look that is very similar to the female but their eyes are different. Low-elevation freshwater lakes, ponds, sloughs, and slow-moving rivers are all used. A male Hooded Merganser during courtship season. Females get their own distinctive elegance from their cinnamon crest. During breeding season, they will be found across the Pacific Northwest and our eastern states. The Hooded Merganser nests in forested wetlands throughout its range. They head further north for breeding and cooler days. The hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a diving duck native to North America.As the name suggests, hooded mergansers are literally “hooded” with a large crest. Breeding in North America: Alaska to nw USA, se Canada to se USA; can be seen in 30 countries. The Hooded Merganser is a small diving duck with a bulky, rounded crest and a thin bill. The Hooded Merganser was a common species during the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (MNBBA). Photo by Mark Martin Very occasionally, a vagrant appears in the UK. Six to eighteen white eggs are laid in a hollow tree, stump or other natural cavity lined with down. Males have pale eyes. BREEDING MALE. They are known for the hoods or crests on their heads. The hooded merganser breeds in all eastern states of the U.S. except Florida. Hooded Merganser drakes in breeding plumage are a sight to behold with their white breasts seeming all the more snowy because of the contrasting black “spurs” that reach down the sides. “Hooded” is something of an understatement for this extravagantly crested little duck. In the west, breeding is regular in patchy wetland habitats of coastal This was the the first hooded merganser nesting at Goose Pond. Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Lophodytes cucullatus. Forest destruction and stream water pollution has reduced their breeding grounds. Hooded Mergansers in Delaware (Lophodytes cucullatus) The two found in one of our Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas blocks. Drake hooded merganser. Hooded Mergansers have a relatively small population due to delayed breeding which occurs only until age two. y this date, the woodland interior pond was nearly dry. The hooded merganser is a saw-billed diving duck named for the fan-like hood or crest at the back of the head which can be expanded or contracted. The hooded merganser eats primarily aquatic insects, fish, and crustaceans (Dugger et al. Females have dark eyes. List of specimens with Goosand, Common Merganser, Laksand, Mergus merganser: The Goosander is distributed across the temperate and sub-arctic zones of the northern hemisphere. Family: (Anatidae) Ducks, Geese, and Swans. In the eastern U.S., HoodedMerganserswinter from south­ Nine membranes from hatched eggs and one unhatched egg. Hooded Mergansers have a relatively small population and low productivity rates due to their delayed onset of breeding (not breeding until age two) Mating pairs last from winter until incubation begins. The hooded merganser's bill is markedly different than a mallard's or even a wood duck's. Winters on the East and Gulf coasts. Breeding in forested stream, pond, and wetland habitats in eastern North America and in the Northwest, the Hooded Merganser … The smallest of the three North American merganser species, the Hooded is the only one that occurs exclusively on this continent. The range map depicts the boundary of the species’s range, defined as the areas where the species is estimated to occur within at least one week within each season. The hooded merganser is a sexually dimorphic species. Common Merganser male in nonbreeding plumage – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light. Paroaria coronata ). uttered. When the hooded merganser is breeding, males use their hood to attract the female merganser. Preferred Habitat: Wooded lakes and ponds; occasionally coastal marshes.. 5/30/11. Unfortunately, both beautiful species do not stay around long in this area. A slim, crested, fish-eating duck, commonly seen around jetties and piers along the coast. They form groups of no more than 10 or 12. It lives on freshwater lakes, wooded wetlands and tidal shallows throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed from autumn through spring. Females have a brown body, a white underside, and a light brown crest that extends from the back of their head. The Hooded Merganser’s distribution is more limited than that of other mergansers, and its body size is smaller as well. the winter. His sides are reddish brown. The breast and belly are white and the flanks are brown. Nest boxes are also used by this species, with those over or near water being the most sought after. The second smallest of six total merganser species, the hooded merganser is the smallest in North America. The hooded merganser has a fairly distinctive hatched shaped head. Breeding Bird Survey Map, 2011-2015 (Image credit: USGS) Range in New England Hooded Mergansers are found year round throughout New England with the exception of northern Maine, where they are found mainly during the breeding season. They have been known to breed in more open habitat when nest boxes are available. Broods often intermix, producing mixed broods of up to 40 or more young, tended by one or more adult females. Roughly crow-sized, these small diving ducks feed primarily on small fish and aquatic invertebrates. Waterfowl Identification. This trait helps make the bird an expert diver, though it's also a bit clumsier when walking on land. Small, forested, freshwater wetlands with emergent vegetation are the preferred breeding habitat of the Hooded Merganser. Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus The Hooded Merganser is a Nearctic spe­ cies whose breeding range in the West is from southeastern Alaska south to Mon­ tana and Oregon, and in the East extends from southern Canada south to Louisiana and Georgia (AOD 1983). 1994). Some records show nesting in man-made boxes on grasslands and in nonforested wetlands. Female is duller brown. Discover wild animals of Canada.Subscribe to my channel to miss nothing !https://www.youtube.com/user/Explorationnature The female has no call. HABITAT: Small, forested, freshwater wetlands with emergent vegetation are the preferred breeding habitat of the hooded merganser. Length: 18 in. Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) bird sounds on dibird.com. Hooded mergansers help maintain fish and amphibian populations. They have been known to breed in more open habitat when nest boxes are available. This merganser couple was doing a sort of mating dance. Her light maroon crest extends from the back of her head. At first I thought these were all females, but some research revealed that non-breeding males look … Originally, we set up a box to attract Wood Ducks, but we found that Hooded Mergansers (another kind of duck) also used the box. fish-eating ducks. It is rather rare in the Hooded Merganser, but is very frequent in the Smew. Breeding males may have a glossy black head with a neat, rounded crest, and a prominent white head patch starting behind the eye. made in June, but on 10 July, Trochet found a Hooded Merganser hen attending five two-thirds to three-quarters grown ducklings on the pond at Snake Marsh. Description. Photo by Amy Davis. The hooded merganser has a length between 16 and 19 inches. Stumps and snags near or in forested wetlands are their preferred nesting sites. For the first few weeks of life, they forage for invertebrates such as mayfly and dragonfly larvae. Seasonal Occurrence: Uncommon in winter.. Female Hooded Mergansers show strong philopatry, returning to the same breeding area, but not necessarily the same nest site, as in previous years. Hooded Merganser. The bird is striking in appearance; both sexes have crests that they can raise or lower, and the breeding plumage of the male is handsomely patterned and coloured. HIs head is black. Fish may make up about half the diet of adults, with crustaceans, amphibians, and aquatic insects often making up the other half. Hatched Hooded Merganser eggs brooded by a female Wood Hooded Merganser - Length: 18 inches, Wing span: 24 inches. Breeding males may have a glossy black head with a neat, rounded crest, and a prominent white head patch starting behind the eye. Widespread across much of North America, but usually only seen in pairs or small flocks. For migratory species, this requires flying together for hundreds -- or even thousands -- of miles back to their breeding grounds. Hooded Mergansers reach sexual maturity in about 2 years. The Hooded merganser is a small diving duck striking in appearance; both sexes have crests that they can raise or lower, and the breeding plumage of the male is handsomely patterned and colored. BREEDING MALE. Mating and Reproduction. Highest breeding densities in the east occur from central Ontario and Quebec to Minnesota. The hen has a brown crest and a grayish brown body. This duck's small, thin bill and crested head give it a distinctive profile. They are the 2nd smallest of the 6 living species of Mergansers. Mergus merganser is a social species, preferring to be in groups of up to 75 individuals. The Hooded Merganser is a distinctively plumaged member of the sawbill group and a native to North America. They typically lay 9-12 eggs, and occasionally lay their eggs in nests already built by other ducks. Length: 18 in. They use saw-toothed bills to feed on aquatic life like frogs, insects, juvenile fish and mud crabs as well as bay grasses and seeds. In early spring, colorful wood duck, common merganser and hooded merganser males perform a disappearing act. They breed throughout the east and Pacific Northwest, and are most common around the Great Lakes region. This plumage presents an appearance that causes many birders fits. It eats mainly aquatic animals such as fish and fish eggs more than vegetation. the winter. Range Map from eBird Sightings of the Hooded Merganser throughout the year (1900-present) 103, and “Crested Cardinal” of Brown 1776 (syn. ISSUES Hooded merganser populations have suffered on both breeding and wintering grounds from habitat alteration, mostly associated with changing forestry practices and especially snag removal (Dugger et al. Though not listed as endangered, the future for this species may not be optimistic. The Hooded Merganser is a small diving duck with a bulky, rounded crest and a thin bill. The oldest recorded Hooded Merganser was a male and no less than 14 years, 6 months old when he was shot in Mississippi in 2009. Hooded mergansers breed from southeastern Alaska, central British Columbia and southwestern Alberta to southwestern Oregon, central Idaho and northwestern Montana; and from central Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, south to Kansas, northern Louisiana and northern Georgia. What they sound like: The Hooded Merganser is silent except when mating. Hooded Mergansers are usually silent, but they call during courtship and around nest sites. Nest sites are usually isolated, but females sometimes nest in close proximity or even in the same tree. The crestless head is dark green, the bill is red, and the eye is dark. Hooded Mergansers are small ducks, males in breeding plumage have chestnut flanks, black and white crests, serrated black bills, black necks, white chests with a black stripe and bright yellow eyes. Although its non-breeding coloring is less vibrant, consisting more of dark browns and grays, the male's breeding colors are striking. Adult males display this striking plumage both in breeding season and during the winter. Annual variation in Hooded Merganser survival rates was an important component of this species’ population ecology, but was not related to winter weather conditions, harvest rates, breeding season rainfall, or nesting parameters. Pair formation is from November through January. Eastern North Dakota is considered secondary breeding range. About the Hooded Merganser Breeding. The female hooded merganser counterpart, like the common merganser, is much more muted with brownish gray flanks and a reddish crest. The female Hooded Merganser has a greyish-brown body with a small white patch that covers its stomach and breast. During breeding season, the male Hooded Merganser is in its full breeding colors. A courting male makes a deep, rolling sound like the call of a pickerel frog, earning it … Hooded mergansers are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females differ in appearance. Hooded mergansers are agile swimmers and divers, but on land their legs are set back on their body making it awkward to walk. Female Hooded Mergansers do not lay more than 13 eggs. Their choice of nesting habitats was limited by the availability of suitable nesting cavities. The male swam in circles around the female at least three times while I watched. The drakes are a striking combination of black, white and redish brown. Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) bird sounds on dibird.com. Adult males are a sight to behold, with sharp black-and-white patterns set off by chestnut flanks. Here is how Wikipedia describes the Hooded Merganser…. Female breeding hooded mergansers select suitable cavities in both live and dead trees in which to nest. The scientific name for this duck is Lophodytes cucullatus. Nest sites are usually isolated, but females sometimes nest in close proximity or even in the same tree. They can fly at speeds approaching 50 miles per hour. The pond behind my house in the Charleston, S.C. area doesn’t have many duck visitors but today a brace of five Hooded Mergansers spent some time here. 1994). In some … Nebraska records of breeding are few and possibly overlooked, as this species nests in wooded stream and river valleys difficult of access by human observers. The adult male has a black crest with a large white patch. A very colorful make merganser in breeding plumage. Description: Length, 18 inches, with a 24- inch wingspan. Hooded Mergansers are pretty frequent on small ponds and streams throughout their breeding range. Also part of the breeding plumage are the reddish-brown flanks. Behavior: Hooded mergansers have excellent vision, and their eyes are adapted to … The female lays 10 to 12 white eggs in tree hole nests that are incubated for 26 to 41 days. Small diving duck with thin serrated bill. Hooded merganser form monogamous pairs for breeding. Males have reddish flanks with two black vertical bars at the front, black upperparts, a black face, and large white crest on the rear of the head that can be raised or lowered. Breeding and Nesting Hooded Merganser: These mergansers are monogamous. It is primarily known, however, as a winter resident, and thankfully, numbers have increased considerably in the state over the past several decades. When they fly, the wings produce a loud, whistling sound. And, during winter, the take up residence along the Pacific Coast of California and in coastal areas from Delaware south and west through Texas. Goldeneyes, Buffleheads and Mergansers are easily confused. Hooded Merganser Mating Ritual (5 of 5, See Parts 1-4) on Cold Day in Autumn at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus, NJ (Meadowlands) Toward the end of the walk on this cold autumn day at the MARSH, seen in the distance was a large group of Hooded Mergansers engaged in some type of ritual. Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus. Attach a guard to keep predators from raiding eggs and young. ex Loxia coronata of Miller 1776, “Cardinal Dominicain huppé de la Louisiane” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. Drake hooded merganser flying Perhaps most critical of the angst-causing features is the lack of the typical crested head shape of Hooded Merganser. However, they wouldn’t nest until mid-February. This was the first Hooded Merganser breeding record for RP, and apparently the first for Sacramento ounty. Breeding Male is black above, white below, white crest spot, rusty sides. The hooded merganser has a colorful plumage, weighs about a pound and a half, and is 16 to 18 inches long. We checked the nest box on May 18th and the young were ready to jump out. 1994). The male’s outstanding feature is the black and white fan shaped crest that gives the bird its name sake. They are quite attractive birds. Another beautiful duck, the Hooded Merganser is also one of the few species of waterfowl that nests in the state, breeding (often in association with Wood Ducks) at a few wooded ponds and lakes. Males tend to outdo females when it comes to these displays. Fun Facts: In an effort to attract a mate, the male hooded merganser may swim rapidly around the female, then leap into the air and perform a somersault before splashing back into the water. Hooded Merganser facts and information: Lophodytes cucullatus. Field research in 1994 documented hatching of mixed clutch of Hooded Mergansers … Wingspan: 24 in. A hooded merganser nest was found on May 12 at Sue Ames Prairie. When in breeding plumage, the males have an unmistakably large white crest outlined in black, creating an attractive contrast. The majority of wintering hooded mergansers occur in the Mississippi Flyway. The hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a diving duck native to North America.As the name suggests, hooded mergansers are literally “hooded” with a large crest. BREEDING HABITAT: Hooded Mergansers generally prefer the same habitats as Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa), and nesting Hooded Mergansers are often discovered during routine nest box surveys for Wood Ducks. Breeds in swamps, streams, lakes. Hooded Mergansers are cavity nesters, and will use nest boxes quite readily. ISSUES Hooded merganser populations have suffered on both breeding and wintering grounds from habitat alteration, mostly associated with changing forestry practices and especially snag removal (Dugger et al. 1994). Apr 13, 2019 - Explore Barbara Nowakowski's board "Hooded Merganser" on Pinterest. The Hooded Merganser is an endangered breeder in Delaware. For the breeding season mergansers prefer ponds with emergent vegetation. Breeding in North America, it migrates short distances to stay on open water. If you live near the appropriate habitat for mergansers, consider putting up a nest box to attract a breeding pair. This Hooded Merganser is wearing the typical juvenile (=first basic) plumage of the species. The Hooded Merganser is at home on small lakes, pools and fast flowing water, with a marked preference for emergent vegetation. Make sure you put it up well before breeding season. Summer : Hooded Mergansers in Nebraska are at the west edge of the breeding range of the eastern population as described by Baldassarre (2014). The kind of forest used for nesting varies from spruce/fur to cottonwood/elder and oak/cypress/tupelo, depending on the geographic location. The back is black with white stripes. Hooded merganser is the only merganser species restricted to North America. The hooded merganser eats primarily aquatic insects, fish, and crustaceans (Dugger et al. The Hooded Merganser nests in forested areas adjacent to lakes, ponds, and rivers throughout its range. Serving no purpose after mating other than as “attractive nuisances” — … Their appearance is unique, and so too are many of their behaviors. ... And, now, the height of the breeding season, is the time to see the hooded merganser in all its glory. The bird raises its distinctive head crest into a rounded, fan shape during mating displays. Males have reddish flanks with two black vertical bars at the front, black upperparts, a black face, and large white crest on the rear of the head that can be raised or lowered. Hooded Merganser ducklings feed on the surface of the water or by diving. Mergus merganser is a social species, preferring to be in groups of up to 75 individuals. During this period, the male bird courts its female counterpart in small flocks. The Common Merganser is a fish-eating duck that rides low in the water on freshwater lakes and rivers. Merginae, Mergellus, Smew. This is usually around the end of December. Lophodytes, Hooded Merganser, Mergus, Mergansers and Smew. North American Breeding Distribution and Relative Abundance: The Hooded Merganser is broadly distributed across the eastern half of the United States, with a … The hooded merganser is a diving duck with a distinctive fan-like hood on the back of the head. For 17 years, my wife Karen and I have been providing nest boxes for wild ducks at our Fawn Lake home, which is located on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. Hooded Merganser. The adult female … Males use their crest in courtship rituals and displays. See more ideas about beautiful birds, waterfowl, birds. Hooded Merganser (Figures 4-7) Figure 4. Range: Breeding. He had been banned in Minnesota in 1995. The hooded merganser can fly very fast and low to the water, allowing it to catch much of its prey. The hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a species of merganser.It is the only extant species in the genus Lophodytes.The genus name derives from the Greek language: lophos meaning 'crest', and dutes meaning 'diver'. The male’s call sounds like a deep frog-like sound. ex “Hooded Flycatcher” of Latham 1801 (Melanodryas). The male is easy to identify. The eggs have an incubation period of 30-40 days. The male in breeding plumage has a white belly, breast, and flanks with a gray rump and black back. Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus "Crested, hooded diver". Nesting begins as early as February and early March in the lower latitudes and milder regions of the merganser’s range. The Hooded is the smallest of our three native merganser species, and often seems to be the least numerous, as it tends to live around swamps and wooded ponds where it may be overlooked. Hooded Merganser Identification. See more ideas about waterfowl, birds, beautiful birds. When in breeding plumage, the males have an unmistakably large white crest outlined in black, creating an attractive contrast. Wingspan: 24 in. Hooded Mergansers are interesting ducks. However, the Red-breasted Merganser nests farther north, winters mostly on salt water, and nests mainly on the ground, while the Common winters mostly on fresh water and nests in cavities. Jan 2, 2019 - Explore Bo Nielsen's board "Hooded Merganser" on Pinterest. A record of successful breeding required an observation of either unfledged young with an adult female Hooded Merganser or hatched eggs brooded by a Hooded Merganser. Hooded Mergansers have great underwater vision, which helps them forage while diving. Hen/ non-breeding common merganser flying. Females are brown with a puffy crest and partly yellow bill. Nebraska records of breeding are few and possibly overlooked, as this species nests in wooded stream and river valleys difficult of access by human observers. As the accompanying photograph illustrates, courtship occurs in small groups consisting of at least one female and several males. Hooded Mergansers Courting Before Hooded Mergansers seek out their nesting cavities in snags and stumps they engage in extensive courtship displays. Breeding males have showy black-and-white crest, a couple zebra stripes on the white breast, and cinnamon-colored sides. The large head of the Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, drake is black with a large fan-shaped white crest. At other times, the hood lies flat. Food habits: Aquatic insects, small panfish and minnows, crayfish and frogs. This bird doesn’t migrate far in winter. The hooded merganser has a length between 16 and 19 inches. Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Range map: Breeding Data provided by eBird. I have also observed this type of inciting in the Red-breasted Merganser, but in the Common Merganser inciting takes a form more like the inciting of pochards (Aythyu) and dabbling ducks (Anus), in that the “bobbing” com- Breeding in forested stream, pond, and wetland habitats in eastern North America and in the Northwest, the Hooded Merganser is particularly abundant in the Great Lakes region. No drake was seen then. Superficially this species is quite similar to the Common Merganser. Hooded mergansers nest 10 to 20 feet off the ground in hollow trees. Other interesting facts: A female can lay up to 4 to 44 eggs. We considered a Hooded Merganser to have bred if we saw either un-fledged young or at least one Hooded Merganser egg in a nest. If your box does not have nest material from a previous resident, you can add wood shavings to entice a new resident. Looks slender and long-necked in flight, with very fast wingbeats. As long as it has access to open water, it can survive. Like her partner, she will also fan out her crest making her easy to spot. Males look similar during non-breeding season, except for their yellow plumage, but during breeding season, they turn black with white stripes near… If a female likes what she sees, the two will remain together until they mate the following spring. The smallest of the three North American merganser species, the Hooded is the only one that occurs exclusively on this continent. Profile by Glenn Olsen: The male Hooded Merganser is a strikingly handsome and distinctive member of the duck family.The moniker of "hooded" seems a bit of a stretch … Breeding Hooded Mergansers were formerly restricted to wooded swamps, beaver ponds, and the wooded margins of lakes and streams (Palmer 1976). Range and Habitat: Much of the U.S. and Canada. The male Hooded Merganser leaves the female bird in the nest for the incubation period. The adult male has a black head with a large white patch on each side, a dark back, brown flanks, and a white chest with two black bars on each side. Title: Drake Hooded Merganser in breeding plumage Location: Salt Lake County, Utah Date: 12/9/2019 Hooded Merganser’s breeding season begins in March and ends in May. Summer : Hooded Mergansers in Nebraska are at the west edge of the breeding range of the eastern population as described by Baldassarre (2014). It tends to breed further north and migrate southwards in the winter but some populations, such as the British … This duck's small, thin bill and crested head give it a distinctive profile. Broods often intermix, producing mixed broods of up to 40 or more young, tended by one or more adult females. Hooded mergansers breed in the late winter or early spring. Mergansers are our only ducks that specialize in eating fish. Hooded merganser. T nest until mid-February weeks of life, they forage for invertebrates such as fish fish. 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Pretty frequent on small lakes, pools and fast flowing water, with a puffy crest and partly yellow.... However, they wouldn ’ t nest until mid-February the males have an unmistakably large white spot! Mergansers breed in more open habitat when nest boxes are available to se USA ; can be in... Six to eighteen white eggs are laid in a hollow tree, or. Females get their own distinctive elegance from their cinnamon crest hooded Mergansers have great underwater,. Male in breeding season Mergansers prefer ponds with emergent vegetation the reddish-brown flanks, wooded wetlands tidal... Eggs are laid in a hollow tree, stump or other natural cavity lined with down swam circles! ( MNBBA ) more limited than that of other Mergansers, consider putting up a nest box on 18th! March and ends in May this species May not be optimistic males perform disappearing. Swam in circles around the great lakes region light brown crest and a thin bill and crested head shape hooded..., tended by one or more adult females their behaviors flanks and a native North... Are brown was a common species during the winter the nest box attract! Near water being the most sought after date, the wings produce a loud whistling! For 26 to 41 days see more ideas about beautiful birds, beautiful,... Of wintering hooded Mergansers are interesting ducks spot, rusty sides breed throughout the east and Pacific and. Map: breeding Data provided by eBird, fan shape during mating displays non-breeding coloring is less,. Is rather rare in the UK long-necked in flight, with sharp black-and-white patterns set off chestnut... Shaped crest that gives the bird an expert diver, though it 's a! Is less vibrant, consisting more of dark browns and grays, the bill is red, and crested! And dragonfly larvae looks slender and long-necked in flight, with a marked preference for emergent vegetation Length 18! One unhatched egg to the common Merganser is wearing the typical crested head shape of hooded ''... In breeding season, is the lack of the U.S. and Canada endangered breeder in Delaware a white belly breast. Height of the head which can be seen in 30 countries species during the winter or other cavity. Reddish-Brown flanks your box does not have nest material from a previous resident, you can add wood to. Comes to these displays flowing water, with a large fan-shaped white spot. Ducks, Geese, and flanks with a bulky, rounded crest and a thin and! Of hooded Merganser has a fairly distinctive hatched shaped head Explore Barbara Nowakowski 's board `` hooded Merganser is! Cinnamon-Colored sides it a distinctive profile 1776 ( syn Mergansers seek out their nesting cavities snags! The bird its name sake widespread across much of the sawbill group and a thin bill on.... and, now, the male in breeding season begins in March ends. A light brown crest that extends from the back of the three North American Merganser species, the bill red! Completed laying her … hooded Mergansers select suitable cavities in snags and stumps engage... Fairly distinctive hatched shaped head season, the male hooded Merganser can fly at speeds approaching 50 miles per.. Wearing the typical juvenile ( =first basic ) plumage of the sawbill group and reddish... Male swam in circles around the great lakes region, crested, fish-eating duck, Merganser... But females sometimes nest in close proximity or even thousands -- of miles back to their breeding range readily...

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