Hooded Merganser

Overview

The Hooded Merganser is the smallest of the North American mergansers, favoring wooded wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving streams. The male's most striking feature is a large, fan-shaped crest of feathers that can be raised into a broad white patch bordered by black, or flattened into a slim, sleek profile. The body shows rich chestnut flanks, a black back, and white breast marked with vertical black bars. Females are more subdued, with a shaggy cinnamon-brown crest and grayish-brown body.

Feather Identification

• Crest structure: The male's crest feathers are elongated and fan-shaped, capable of being raised into a large rounded white patch edged in black or collapsed into a slicked-back shape - a highly distinctive and variable feather feature.
• Flank color: Rich chestnut-brown flanks are bordered by fine black-and-white barring on the sides of the breast.
• Back and body: A solid black back contrasts with a white breast and chestnut flanks, giving strong overall contrast.
• Female crest: Females show a looser, shaggier crest in warm cinnamon-brown tones, less structured than the male's crisp fan shape.
• Bill shape context: Though not a feather trait, the thin, serrated bill (used for gripping fish) pairs with an overall slim body shape distinct from bulkier diving ducks.

Plumage Notes

Breeding males display a bold black-and-white fan crest, chestnut flanks, black back, and white breast with vertical black bars along the sides. Females have a shaggy cinnamon crest and grayish-brown body year-round, with relatively subtle seasonal change. Eclipse males resemble females but may retain some crest structure and darker back feathering. The species molts completely after breeding, and juveniles resemble females until young males develop full crest and body patterning.

Habitat & Range

Hooded Mergansers breed across wooded wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving streams in North America, particularly in areas with mature trees offering nesting cavities. In winter, they move to a broader range of freshwater and sheltered coastal habitats, often remaining in wooded or semi-wooded surroundings rather than open bays. The species is migratory across most of its range, though some populations are resident where winters remain mild.

Behavior & Field Notes

Hooded Mergansers dive to catch small fish and aquatic invertebrates, using their thin, serrated bills to grip slippery prey. They nest in tree cavities near water, sometimes sharing nesting areas with Wood Ducks. Courtship displays are elaborate, with males raising and lowering the crest while performing head-shaking and pumping motions. The species is usually seen in pairs or small groups rather than large flocks, and calls include low grunting or croaking notes given mainly during courtship.