Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus
The smallest member of merganser species in North America. Sexually dimorphic. All year around although they need a lake or slow flowing and river which isn't frozen in winter as they dive for small fishes and capture them with their sawbill.
Common Names
- Hooded Merganser (en)
- Serreta capuchona, Pato de Cresta (es)
- Harle couronné (fr)
- Kappensäger (de)
How to Identify
Male black and white pattern of head and neck is typical and a clear characteristic to identify Hooded Merganser. Luckily, I usually see them in pairs, male and female. The crest form, the proportion of the neck and size allow the identification of females.
Where & When to Spot
Although reported to be around all year long, I usually see them in late autumn and winter when they are catching small fishes in open waters. For me the best place to observe them, is Rapids Park Lachine.
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Rapids Park Lachine - March 05, 2017
NIKON D7100; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1000; Aperture f6.3; Iso 280;
khm-20170305-2129-1488731392
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Rapids Park Lachine - March 05, 2017
NIKON D7100; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1000; Aperture f6.3; Iso 320;
khm-20170305-2128-1488731325
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Park Angrignon - November 19, 2016
NIKON D7100; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/800; Aperture f6.3; Iso 1600;
khm-20161119-2027-1479569222
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Another shot from the sequel "Catched a fish too big to swallow"
Rapids Park Lachine - October 15, 2016
NIKON D7100; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1000; Aperture f6.3; Iso 560;
khm-20161015-1837-1476542230
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
A couple of hooded merganser swimming toward new fishing grounds.
Rapids Park Lachine - November 16, 2013
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; 4.3-215.0 mm; Focal Length 215mm; Exposure 1/160; Aperture f6.5; Iso 200;
khm-20131116-2108-1384618084