Lophodytes cucullatus
The male Hooded Merganser has the most splendid headgear of all birds that breed in the Rocky Mountains. As if that weren't enough, however, he also has a most unusual courtship display: the male routinely performs a complete somersault for a potential mate, taking off and landing perfectly on the water's surface. The male's crest is raised when he is aroused, whether during courtship or out of fear. The raised signal may alert other nearby 'Hoodies' that intruders are present. The Hooded Merganser is the smallest of the mergansers. The genus name of the Hooded Merganser is very appropriate: it means 'crested diver.' |
I.D.: General: slim duck; crested head; thin, pointed bill. Male: black head and back; bold white crest is outlined in black; white breast; 2 white shoulder slashes; rusty sides. Female: dusky brown body; shaggy, reddish-brown crest. In flight: small, white wing patches. Size: L 16-19 in. (41-48 cm). Range: uncommon spring migrant and summer visitor to the Canadian and northern U.S. Rockies; rare migrant and winter resident in the central and southern U.S. Rockies. Habitat: flooded willows, ponds and occasionally lakes and rivers in the montane and the subalpine. Nesting: typically in interior B and along the northern Pacific Coast; usually in a tree cavity 15-20 ft. (4.6-6.1 m) high; rarely on the ground; cavity is lined with leaves, grass and down; female incubates 10-12 white eggs for 29-33 days. Feeding: very diverse diet; dives for small fish, caddisfly and dragonfly larvae, snails, amphibians and crayfish. Voice: low grunts and croaks. Male: frog-like crrrrooo in courtship display. Female: generally quiet; occasionally a harsh gak or a croaking croo-croo-crook. Similar Species: Bufflehead: male lacks the black outline to the crest and the white shoulder slashes. Other small diving ducks: females lack the crest. |
