Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
They possess a specialized nictitating membrane that acts like underwater goggles, allowing for crystal-clear vision while hunting submerged.
- Scientific name
- Lophodytes cucullatus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Anseriformes › Anatidae › Lophodytes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Forested wetlands, swamps, and quiet ponds with ample woody debris.
- Diet
- Small fish, crayfish, and aquatic insects.
- Range
- North America, Southern Canada, United States
- Size
- 40-49 cm length; 600-700g weight
- Lifespan
- 11-12 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of forested wetland habitat and removal of dead standing trees used for nesting.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Best observed with binoculars from a distance to avoid causing stress. If you find a nesting cavity in a tree, keep back to ensure the parents return to their eggs.
The hooded merganser ( Lophodytes cucullatus ) is a species of small duck. It is the only extant species in the genus Lophodytes . The genus name derives from the Greek language: lophos meaning 'crest', and dutes meaning diver. The bird is striking in appearance; both sexes have crests that they can raise or lower, and the breeding plumage of the male is handsomely patterned and coloured. The hooded merganser has a sawbill but is not classified as a
Photo: Chris O'Donoghue, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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