The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a diving duck that is characterized by its crest that can be raised or lowered. Adult males are strikingly patterned and colored, and when breeding they are mostly black with white markings. During the nonbreeding season the male is similar to the female with the exception of the male’s yellow eyes. The female is grayish-brown with a white narrow patch over the lower breast and belly; the crest is reddish-brown that extends from the back of the head. As diving predators, the Hooded Merganser mostly feed on fish, but they may also consume aquatic insects and other invertebrates.
The Hooded Merganser has a wingspan in the range of 23”-28” (58-71 cm) and total weight of 1-1.9 lb (.45-.88 kg). The body of the Hooded Merganser has an overall length between 15.75”-19.3” (40-49 cm), body width of 5.5”-6.7” (14-17 cm), and standing height of roughly 9.8”-12.2” (25-31 cm). The typical lifespan of the Hooded Merganser is between 11-16 years.
The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a diving duck that is characterized by its crest that can be raised or lowered. Adult males are strikingly patterned and colored, and when breeding they are mostly black with white markings. During the nonbreeding season the male is similar to the female with the exception of the male’s yellow eyes. The female is grayish-brown with a white narrow patch over the lower breast and belly; the crest is reddish-brown that extends from the back of the head. As diving predators, the Hooded Merganser mostly feed on fish, but they may also consume aquatic insects and other invertebrates.
The Hooded Merganser has a wingspan in the range of 23”-28” (58-71 cm) and total weight of 1-1.9 lb (.45-.88 kg). The body of the Hooded Merganser has an overall length between 15.75”-19.3” (40-49 cm), body width of 5.5”-6.7” (14-17 cm), and standing height of roughly 9.8”-12.2” (25-31 cm). The typical lifespan of the Hooded Merganser is between 11-16 years.
