Hooded Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Adult male
- Distinctive small merganser with unique "inflated" crest
- Black head and neck with large white patch on crest
- Rufous flanks contrast with darker back and white breast
- Two black "spurs" on sides of breast
- © Greg Schneider, November 2010
Hooded Merganser
Adult female
- Small merganser with distinctive rounded crest
- Long, slender yellow bill
- Mostly dark gray with richer brown on crest
- Dark eyes
- © Stuart Oikawa, MB, May 2012
Hooded Merganser
Immature male
- Immature male similar to adult female but shows all-dark bill and yellow eyes
- Darker wings contrast with paler gray/brown flanks and head
- Paler brown crest
- Long tail often sticks up at an angle
- © Christopher L. Wood, NY
Hooded Merganser
Adult female (left) and male (right)
- Small, long-bodied merganser
- Distinctive "hammer-headed" appearance
- Long, slender, serrated bills
- Male shows bright white patch on crest and rufous flanks
- © Christopher L. Wood, December 2004
Hooded Merganser
Adult female with ducklings
- Small, compact merganser
- Distinctive hood-like crest
- Long, slender, serrated bill
- Ducklings similar to other merganser species with dark crowns and pale cheeks
- © Stuart Oikawa, MB, June 2011
Hooded Merganser
Adult male
- Small, long-bodied merganser
- Unique, "hammer-head" crest with large white patch on black background
- Glowing yellow eyes
- Rufous flanks bordered by two black stripes on sides of breast
- © Jay Paredes, FL, Viera, December 2011
Hooded Merganser
Adult female
- Small merganser with fluffy, fan-shaped crest
- Slender, serrated bill with orange/yellow base
- Mostly plain gray with warmer brown on crest
- White belly
- © Guy Litcher, MB, Winnipeg, May 2011
Hooded Merganser
Adult male
- Fluffy crest hangs down back of neck when not raised
- White patch reduced when crest is not raised
- Glowing yellow eyes stand out on jet black head and neck
- Two vertical black "spurs" on sides of breast
- © Guy Litcher, MB, Winnipeg, May 2012
Similar Species
Adult female
- Smaller and stockier than Hooded Merganser
- Mostly cold, dark gray overall with no brown tones
- Thicker, wider bill
- Female shows small white patch on dark gray head
- © Distantfocus, Cary, NC, January 2011
Adult male
- Smaller and stockier than Hooded Merganser
- Solid white flanks
- Glossy purple and green sheen on head
- Large white patch at rear of head, lacks black border
- © Glenn Bartley, Victoria, BC, March 2009
Adult female
- Much larger and more elongated than Hooded Merganser
- Solid orange bill
- Shaggy crest at rear of head, not fan-shaped
- Plain gray overall
- © Ron Kube, Calgary, AB, April 2009
Adult female
- Larger and more elongated than Hooded Merganser
- Longer, solid orange bill
- Shaggy crest at rear, not fan-shaped or "inflated"
- Plain gray body
- © Larry McGahey, Seney, MI, October 2011