Hooded Merganser Photo Gallery
Adult male
Small duck with slender bill and flamboyant oversized head. Hood (crest) can be raised as shown or lowered, changing the shape of the head and the white head patch.
© Allan Bigras / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, October 09, 2020Female
Small brownish duck with warm cinnamon crest and gray-brown body. Long tail is not always visible.
© Bill Thompson / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, November 03, 2019Adult males and female with Canvasback
Courtship typically occurs in groups with several males and a few females. Males raise their crest, pump their head, flap their wings, and give a froglike croak.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, March 19, 2015Not all videos have soundNonbreeding male
Small, brownish duck with fairly long, straight, slender bill. Ragged crest is cinnamon brown, warmer than the rest of the body.
© Amanda Guercio / Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 12, 2012Adult male and female
In flight, both sexes have limited white markings on the inner upperwings.
© Libby Burtner / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, January 29, 2020Female with juveniles
Hooded Merganser clutch size ranges from 5–13 eggs. Ducklings need little parental care—they can dive and collect their own food within hours of hatching.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 03, 2014Not all videos have soundFemale
Small, brownish duck with slender, straight bill. Movable crest can give head varied shapes; it's usually warmer brown than the rest of the bird, especially toward the tip.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 02, 2017Male and female
Male's crest when lowered lies against the back of the neck, the white patch minimized to a stripe behind the eye.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, January 26, 2013Adult male
A slender, serrated bill helps Hooded Mergansers capture aquatic insects, fish, and crayfish. Prey is usually swallowed whole.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 13, 2014Not all videos have soundAdult male
Flamboyant small duck with oversized head when crest is extended. White chest/sides are crossed by one black stripe and bordered by a second; flanks are chestnut.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, March 22, 2020Immature male
Immature male shows a mix of female and adult male features.
© Timo Mitzen / Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 01, 2020Adult males
Hooded Mergansers preen while swimming or standing on land.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 13, 2014Not all videos have soundFemale and juvenile
Small brownish duck with straight, slender bill and warm brown crest. In summer may be seen with many ducklings in tow.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 15, 2014Adult male and female
May form small flocks; males perform several types of displays that emphasize the black-and-white crest, especially when females are present.
© Marina Roell / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 09, 2020Female
Nests in holes in trees and in nest boxes.
© Janis Stone / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, April 15, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
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