Hooded Merganser

About the Hooded Merganser

The Hooded Merganser is a small diving duck known for its striking black-and-white crest and bright yellow eye. Males can raise or lower their fan-shaped hood, creating one of the most dramatic looks among North American waterfowl. Often found on wooded ponds and quiet lakes, they dive beneath the surface to chase small fish and aquatic insects.

Fun Facts

• A Built-In Hood: The male's large crest can expand into a bold circular fan or flatten against the head, depending on mood and behavior.
• Underwater Hunters: Hooded Mergansers dive to catch fish, using their narrow, serrated bills to grip slippery prey.
• Cavity Nesters: Unlike most ducks, they nest in tree cavities — often in old woodpecker holes.
• Super Vision: They have excellent underwater eyesight, helping them track fish below the surface.