# Hooded Merganser (*Lophodytes cucullatus*) The Hooded Merganser is a small duck with a striking crest on its head. It loves to swim in lakes and rivers, diving underwater to catch fish and insects. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 23 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Hooded Merganser](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hooded_merganser_female_in_CP_%2840676%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hooded_merganser_female_in_CP_%2840676%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Hooded Merganser is a striking duck known for its distinctive fan-shaped crest. Males boast a dramatic black-and-white crest with bright white flanks, while females have a shaggy, reddish-brown crest and grayish-brown body. Their slender, pointed bill sets them apart from most other ducks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Lophodytes ## Interesting facts - A Hooded Merganser chick can jump from its tree cavity nest the day it hatches! - Male Hooded Mergansers puff up their amazing fan-shaped crest to attract a mate. - These speedy ducks can fly thousands of kilometers during their yearly migrations. - They nest inside tall tree cavities, sometimes sharing with other ducks! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Vision:** Hooded Merganser has special eyes that can focus clearly both above and below water, helping them hunt fish. - **Serrated Bill:** Hooded Merganser has a hooked bill with saw-like edges, which helps them grip slippery fish underwater. - **Diving Master:** Hooded Merganser can dive quickly underwater, using their strong feet to chase and catch fast-moving prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-50 cm - **Wingspan:** 60-70 cm - **Weight:** 0.45-0.86 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 72 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 7-13 - **Incubation:** 28-37 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding This diving duck mainly eats small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. - **Primary Foods:** small fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons often prey on Hooded Merganser eggs and ducklings. - **Eaten by:** Mink (*Mustela vison*) — Mink are agile predators that can hunt adult mergansers and ducklings. - **Eats:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Hooded Mergansers hunt small pike as part of their fish diet. - **Eaten by:** [Wolverine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wolverine) (*Gulo gulo*) — Wolverines may prey on mergansers if available near their territories. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch ducks from a distance and don't feed them bread. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hooded Merganser? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Hooded Merganser? 40-50 cm ### What is Hooded Merganser's wingspan? 60-70 cm ### How much does Hooded Merganser weigh? 0.45-0.86 kg ### How long does Hooded Merganser live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Hooded Merganser move? 72 km/h ### What does Hooded Merganser eat? This diving duck mainly eats small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. ### Where is Hooded Merganser usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Bloedel Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloedel-reserve) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Camp Evans](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-evans) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-e-wilson-wildlife-area) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Foley Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/foley-downtown-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Harriman Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harriman-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Hoffner Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoffner-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District [View all places to see Hooded Merganser](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hooded-merganser) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Hooded Merganser: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hooded-merganser)