drake showcasing white crest (California, USA; 2007-01-20)


Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus

Native Range: North America

Notes: a small merganser with a spectacular crest; prefers small lakes and wooded ponds; nests in tree cavities.
drake with crest mostly raised (California, USA; 2007-01-20) drake with crest lowered (California, USA; 2007-01-20)
bathing (California, USA; 2007-01-20) in flight; note white speculum (California, USA; 2007-01-20)
hen with crest raised (California, USA; 2007-01-20) hen with crest partly lowered (California, USA; 2007-01-20)
pair (California, USA; 2007-01-20) pair (California, USA; 2007-01-20)
juveniles (Michigan, USA; 2006-08-30)