Adult: Males in eclipse plumage and female Hooded Mergan-sers look much alike. The easily erected crest shared by both sexes is tinged with red-brown; the thin serrated bills are darkish. The dark-backed bodies are dull brown, with no white showing. In flight both sexes display a small amount of white in the wings, more so in the male.

In Breeding Plumage, the male’s crest becomes glossy black with a conspicuous white patch. His white breast has two bold black diagonal stripes and the flanks become a golden brown color. The wings are striped with white. He has become a sporty lookin’ dude!

Immature: Young of the year resemble the hen.

Habitat: Wooded streams and hardwood swamps. Lakes, ponds, saltwater and freshwater marshes.

Although considered a winter resident, some Hooded Mergansers are around all year. Nesting occurs in Florida from May-July. The Hooded Merganser, a cavity nester, will roost in Wood Duck boxes and sometimes “donates” a clutch of eggs to Wood Duck nests in cowbird fashion. The resulting mixed broods have been recorded.

Text by Mary-Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon