Hooded Merganser
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Lophodytes
Species: cucullatus
Range & Habitat
Hooded Mergansers have both western and eastern populations. They winter
along the Pacific coast, from Southern Alaska to California and the coastal waters of the Southeastern United States, respectively. They breed from Southern Alaska south to Oregon and from Nova Scotia south to Arkansas and Northern Alabama.
Reproduction & Growth
They form breeding pairs in early winter, and prefer to nest in tree
cavities near water. Their breeding season runs March through May. Hooded Mergansers breed in places such wooded ponds, rivers, lakes, swamps and marshes. Male courtship involves elaborate displays of his crest and unique vocalizations. A male will commonly do a "Head-Throw," in which he throws back his head, touching his back and slowly moves it forward. While he does this, he emits a frog-like croak to the female. The female lays 10-12 eggs and incubates them alone for 29-33 days. Twenty four hours after all of the eggs have hatched, the mother leads them out to the water. She stays with them for about five weeks while they explore their surroundings.
Diet - Omnivore
In the Wild: Marsh grasses, fish, crayfish, frogs, clams, mud crabs, aquatic insects and insect larvae
In the Zoo: Water fowl diet, kale, apples and sometimes mealworms
General Information
The name "hooded" refers to the crest of feathers on their heads. When erected, this crest looks like a hood. The breeding male's hood, when erected, shows a white patch surrounded by black. Females and non-breeding males have a reddish-brown crest, which matches the rest of the body. They have narrow bills that are hooked and serrated in order to aid in capturing slippery prey. Mergansers are agile in the water and air, but appear clumsy walking on land because their legs are located on the back portion of its body. They have been seen flying as groups, couples and singles during migration, which occurs usually in early spring and late fall. Hooded Mergansers are visual hunters, submerging their heads while paddling to look for food. While the Hooded Merganser is not threatened, habitat destruction has led to a loss of nesting areas for them. Water pollution has also killed off some of the smaller aquatic invertebrates which make up a portion of their diet. They have been known to use man-made nesting boxes in treeless areas.
In the Zoo
Currently in the zoo we have two Hooded Mergansers, one male and one female.
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