General

Hooded Merganser: Small merganser with black head, neck, and back, and white underparts with two black bars on side of breast; flanks are red-brown. Distinct crest shows large white patch when raised and white stripe extending backwards from the eye when lowered. Eyes are bright yellow and bill is dark gray. Wings are dark with white shoulder patches visible in flight. Female has bushy brown crest, gray upper breast and flanks, white markings on wings, and dull yellow eyes. The upper bill is dark brown and the lower bill is dark yellow. Juvenile is similar to female but may lack crest and has darker eyes. Eclipse male resembles female but is darker and has bright yellow eyes and gray bill.

Range and Habitat

Hooded Merganser: Breeds and winters in the Great Lakes region, eastern Canada, and the Pacific northwest. Preferred habitats include small forest pools, millponds, swamps, and beaver ponds.

Breeding and Nesting

Hooded Merganser: Six to eighteen white eggs are laid in a hollow tree, stump, or other natural cavity lined with down. Nest is usually near water and 10 to 20 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 32 to 33 days and is carried out by the female; once the female begins to incubate, the male abandons her.

Foraging and Feeding

Hooded Merganser: Forages underwater, diving from the surface and capturing fish with its serrated and hooked bill; also feeds on crayfish, snails, frogs, insects, aquatic plants, and seeds.

Vocalization

Hooded Merganser: Utters hoarse grunts and chatters. Displaying male gives rolling, frog-like "crrrroooo."

Similar Species

Hooded Merganser: Bufflehead has smaller bill, dark eyes, and lacks black breast bars and brown belly.