Species Profile
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
10–12 years
Length
40–49 cm
Weight
540–935 g
Wingspan
61–66 cm
Migration
Short-distance migrant
Also known as: Masked Diver, Hooded Sheldrake, Sawbill
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Appearance
The Hooded Merganser is a striking duck with a distinctive, fan-shaped crest. Males display a black and white crest, chestnut flanks, and a black back. Their white breast is marked with two black bars.
Females are more subdued, with a cinnamon-colored crest and greyish-brown body. Both sexes have a thin, serrated bill and golden-yellow eyes, which turn bright yellow in breeding males.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Chestnut
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Male Markings
Crested head, white breast with two black stripes
Tail: Dark and fan-shaped
Female Markings
Cinnamon-colored crest, greyish-brown body
Tail: Dark and fan-shaped
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Hooded Mergansers inhabit forested wetlands, secluded ponds, and slow-moving rivers across North America. They breed in the northern United States and southern Canada, favoring areas with mature trees for nesting.
During winter, they migrate to coastal estuaries and inland waters in the southern United States. Some populations remain year-round in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the eastern United States.
Distribution
Diet
Hooded Mergansers primarily feed on small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. They use their serrated bills to grip slippery prey, diving underwater and swimming with their eyes open to locate food. Occasionally, they also consume plant material, especially during breeding season.
Behaviour
Hooded Mergansers are agile swimmers and divers, using their keen eyesight to locate prey underwater. They often shake their crests when alarmed or during courtship displays.
These ducks are generally quiet but become more vocal during breeding season, especially when performing elaborate courtship rituals.
Calls & Sounds
Hooded Mergansers are generally quiet but become more vocal during breeding season. Males produce a low, rolling, frog-like croak, often described as 'croo-croo-crrrooo'. Females make a hoarse, guttural 'gak-gak-gak' call, particularly when disturbed or leading young.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Hooded Mergansers typically begins in late winter or early spring. Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females, including head-pumping and crest-raising.
Females select nest sites in tree cavities or nest boxes, often near water. They lay 7-15 cream-colored eggs and line the nest with down. Nests are sometimes shared with other female mergansers or wood ducks.
Incubation lasts about 30 days, performed solely by the female. Ducklings leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching, jumping from heights of up to 50 feet to reach water.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Hooded Mergansers face threats from habitat loss, particularly the destruction of mature forests near wetlands. Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting habitats and maintaining water quality in their aquatic environments.
Population
Estimated: 1,100,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Increasing[2]
Population slowly increasing overall, but some local declines
Elevation
Up to 1,500 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 5cm x 4.5cm
- Predators:
- Main predators include raccoons, minks, and large fish. Birds of prey such as hawks and owls may also target adults and young.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, high-pitched quack
- Breeding age:
- 2
- Maturity age:
- 2
- Feeding times:
- Morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, pollution, climate change
- Parental care:
- Female incubates eggs and cares for chicks
- Primary calls:
- Low croaking and quacking
- Social habits:
- Solitary or in small groups, forms larger flocks in winter
- Egg appearance:
- Creamy white, oval
- Feeding habits:
- Dives underwater to catch prey
- Breeding season:
- Spring
- Diet variations:
- Diet varies with season and location
- Fledging period:
- Leave nest 1 day after hatching, but will stay for up to 5 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 10
- Call description:
- Males produce a frog-like croak, females a hoarse quack
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, often seen diving for food
- Nesting location:
- Tree cavities near water
- Number of broods:
- One
- Incubation period:
- Around 30 days
- Nest construction:
- Uses existing cavities, lined with feathers
- Migration patterns:
- Migrates south in winter, some populations resident
- Migratory patterns:
- Migrates south in winter, but some populations are resident
- Age related changes:
- Older males have larger crests
- Prey capture method:
- Chases prey underwater
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected under the Migratory Bird Act, nest box programs
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends nesting territories, but not feeding areas
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often returning to same nesting site
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 5-13 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Generally peaceful, but can be aggressive in defense of nest
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Hooded Mergansers in wooded swamps and quiet, forested ponds
- Listen for their distinctive, frog-like croaking call during breeding season
- Observe their diving behavior, as they frequently submerge to hunt for food
- In North America, watch for them in winter along coastal areas and unfrozen inland waters
Did You Know?
- Hooded Mergansers can see clearly underwater, thanks to a special membrane that protects their eyes.
- They are one of the few duck species that can breed in their first year of life.
- Their serrated bills, which give them the nickname 'sawbill', help them grip slippery prey.
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