Hooded Merganser - Anatidae Lophodytes cucullatus
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Hooded Merganser male, crest lowered Kaysville Ponds, 12-24-03  ©NJDavis, Anatidae Lophodytes cucullatus

Male Hooded Merganser

Male and female Hooded Merganser





Photo Details
1. December 24, 2003 - Kaysville Ponds, Davis County, Utah
2. March 14, 2004 - Kaysville Ponds, Davis County, Utah
©NJDavis

Description
L 18 WS 24, Short thin bill and crested head. Male in breeding has two black vertical spurs on white breast, black head with white fan-shaped patch within crest when it's raised, brown flanks and black back. Female is brown with darker back and red-brown crest. Bill is dark on top and yellowish on the bottom.

 A diving duck that eats fish, frogs, crustaceans, mollucks and aquatic insects.  They live on wooded rivers and lakes in summer and in similar places plus coastal areas in the winter. Females do head bobbing and pumping and male raises crest in courtship displays beginning midwinter. They lay 6-8 white eggs in nest of grass and down placed in a tree cavity or nest box. Precocial with one brood and an incubation of 32-41 day

 Utah Range Map
click for Range Map color key

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