The Hooded Merganser is the smallest of North America's mergansers and, for many people, the most striking duck on a quiet Michigan pond. The drake can raise or lower a spectacular fan-shaped crest — snapping it open to reveal a bold white sail bordered in black — while the female is a subtler warm brown with her own shaggy cinnamon crest. Both have thin, serrated "sawbill" beaks built for gripping slippery fish and crayfish, which they pursue in underwater dives, hunting largely by sight with excellent underwater vision.
Unlike most ducks, "Hoodies" are cavity nesters, laying their eggs in tree hollows and nest boxes over wooded water, sometimes in the same boxes used by Wood Ducks. The day after hatching, the tiny ducklings leap from the cavity to the water below and swim off with the female. They breed on secluded wooded ponds and swamps across Michigan and gather in larger numbers during migration on rivers and backwaters.
A visual, diving predator that pursues small fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, and amphibians underwater, seizing them with its narrow, serrated bill. Its keen underwater eyesight lets it hunt in clear, quiet waters where it can spot prey among vegetation and submerged wood.
Both drakes are small and boldly black-and-white, but the Hooded Merganser has a thin sawbill and a large fan-shaped crest edged in black, while the Bufflehead has a stubby duck bill and a rounder head with a big white wedge behind the eye.
Yes. Hooded Mergansers nest in tree cavities and nest boxes over or near water, and the ducklings jump to the ground or water within a day of hatching. They will use Wood Duck boxes and sometimes share them.
Mainly small fish, crayfish, and aquatic insects caught on underwater dives. Their serrated "sawbill" is adapted for holding slippery prey rather than filtering, unlike dabbling ducks.
Ducklings are dark brown with white cheeks and follow the female closely, and young males look like the cinnamon-crested female until midwinter of their first year. A 'female' with a faint white crescent on the head is a young male.
A raft, though they usually appear in small parties rather than large flocks, favoring wooded ponds, beaver floodings, and river backwaters.
Other birds you might be looking at instead.
Pick the park — it takes less than ten seconds.
Start typing the bird's name, then pick it from the list.
Suggest a birding spot to add to the map. I'll review it before it appears.
Thanks! Your suggestion has been sent for review.
Found something wrong or out of date? Tell me what to fix — it goes straight to my inbox. (No email needed.)
Thank you — your note is on its way. I appreciate the help keeping this accurate.