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Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a strikingly unique waterfowl native to North America, renowned for its distinctive crest and sexual dimorphism. These small mergansers are adept divers, often found in unfrozen lakes and rivers where they skillfully hunt for fish using their specialized sawbill.

Parc des Rapides - 2017-03-05
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2017-03-05
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N
Settings: f6.3 • 1/1000 • ISO 320
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc des Rapides - 2017-03-05
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2017-03-05
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N
Settings: f6.3 • 1/1000 • ISO 450
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc des Rapides - 2017-03-05
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2017-03-05
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N
Settings: f6.3 • 1/1000 • ISO 280
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc des Rapides - 2017-03-05
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2017-03-05
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N
Settings: f6.3 • 1/1000 • ISO 320
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc Angrignon - 2016-11-19
Location: Parc Angrignon
Date: 2016-11-19
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N
Settings: f6.3 • 1/800 • ISO 1600
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc des Rapides - 2016-10-15
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2016-10-15
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N
Settings: f6.3 • 1/1000 • ISO 560
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc des Rapides - 2013-11-16
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2013-11-16
Camera: Canon PowerShot
Lens: 4.3-215mm
Settings: f6.5 • 1/160 • ISO 200
Focal Length: 215mm

Common Names

🇨🇦Hooded Merganser
🇫🇷Harle couronné
🇩🇪Kappensäger
🇲🇽Serreta capuchona, Pato de Cresta

Taxonomy

OrderAnseriformes
FamilyAnatidae

Characteristics

Length40–49cm
Weight453–879g
Wingspan60–66cm
Clutch Size5-13 eggs
Incubation26-41 days
Fledging70 days
Sexual Maturity2 years

Explore More

📖 Wikipedia Page: For more information about this species.

Identification and Whereabouts

The male Hooded Merganser is distinguished by its striking black and white head and neck pattern, a definitive characteristic for identification. Observations often reveal them in pairs, with both male and female present. The female can be identified by the shape of her crest, as well as the proportions of her neck and overall size.

While Hooded Mergansers are reported to be present year-round, they are most commonly observed in late autumn and winter, when they can be seen catching small fish in open waters. In my experience, the best location to observe them is Rapids Park Lachine.

Location Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Parc Michel-Chartrand x - - -
Parc de la Frayère x - - -
Parc des Rapides x - - x

"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.