@ornithological / ornithological.tumblr.com
Photo: Bill B
"Mergansers are our only ducks that specialize in eating fish. The Hooded is the smallest of our three native merganser species, and often seems to be the least numerous, as it tends to live around swamps and wooded ponds where it may be overlooked. A cavity nester along wooded waterways in the temperate parts of North America, it has probably benefitted by taking advantage of nest boxes put out for Wood Ducks."
Some reeds and branches in the way, but too cute not to post.
Hooded Merganser, male (Lophodytes cucullatus)
March 14, 2024
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Tinicum, Pennsylvania
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), male, family Anatidae, order Anseriformes, found across much of the U.S. and Canada
photograph by Terence Geoghan
Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus)
January 31, 2024
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Tinicum, Pennsylvania
Winter ducks
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
December 2023 and early January 2024
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Tinicum, Pennsylvania
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), male, family Anatidae, order Anseriformes, Huntley Meadows Park, VA, USA
photograph by Mar Acevedo
Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus), L - male eating a crayfish and R - female, family Anatidae, order Anseriformes, FL, USA
photograph via: Florida Fish and Wildlife
Hooded Merganser :)
Hooded mergansers have arrived in the city! I saw these guys at Tommy Thompson Park
