hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 26 inches

• small, compact diving duck

• Long, pointed bill with serrated edges

• Erectile, fan-like crest extends from back of head

• Dark bill and wings

• Often cocks its tail like a ruddy duck

• Immature similar to adult female

Adult male:

• Yellow eye

• Black head and back

• Large white patch in the center of the crest

• White breast and belly

• Black and white stripes at forward portion of reddish flanks

• Dark tail

• Inner half of upperwings whitish, brodered by 2 dark bars

• Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer

• Male in basic eclipse plumage similar to adult female

Adult female:

• Brown eye

• Cold gray-brown head, neck, flanks, back, and upperwings with paler       breast

• Faint reddish tinge to crest

• White belly

Similar species:

Adult male in alternate plumage is unmistakable. Female vaguely
similar to other mergansers but much smaller with cold brown head,
with reddish fan-like crest, and dark bill.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: Cavity
Clutch Size: 5-15
Length of Incubation: 32-33(28-41) days
Days to Fledge: 71
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Mostly fish; lesser quantities of aquatic invertebrates

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

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