Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="lophodytes-cucullatus"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/lophodytes-cucullatus/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/lophodytes-cucullatus/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/lophodytes-cucullatus/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="lophodytes-cucullatus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small fish-eating duck (~640 g) of family Anatidae, males bearing a dramatic fan-shaped black and white crest. Breeds in wooded swamps, rivers, and lakes in North America, nesting in tree cavities; winters on sheltered coastal and inland waters. Uses keen underwater vision to hunt fish and crayfish. Least Concern; benefiting from nest box programs.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 37.3 cm | 14.7 in |
| Weight | 638.0 g | 22.50 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Male has fan-shaped black-and-white erectile crest; black head and neck, white breast with two black bars, rich cinnamon flanks. Female is greyish-brown with rusty-cinnamon crest, paler below.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Breeds in forested wetlands of North America from southern Canada to the northern United States. Winters on rivers and lakes south to Mexico.
Diet & Feeding
Dives for small fish, aquatic invertebrates, and frogs in clear freshwater streams and ponds. Uses sharp serrated bill to catch prey.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CV. Incubation: 29-37 days. Fledging: 71 days.
Clutch Size
6-18
Sound
Song
Male produces a low, rolling rolling-tum tumbling call; female gives a harsh, grating quack. The male's frog-like rolling call is unique among North American ducks during winter courtship.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Lophodytes |
| Species | Lophodytes cucullatus |
Distribution
Hooded Merganser has been recorded in 10 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hooded Merganser eat?
Where does the Hooded Merganser live?
Is the Hooded Merganser endangered?
How does the Hooded Merganser nest?
What does the Hooded Merganser sound like?
How big is the Hooded Merganser?
What order and family does the Hooded Merganser belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family