Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
Bill Rowe
Along with the flocks of geese migrating north in February and March come 20+ different kinds of ducks, nearly all headed to the northern prairies, the lakes of the Canadian forest, or even the Arctic. Only three species are regular breeding birds in Missouri, two of which—the Mallard and the Wood Duck—have already been featured here. The third, the Hooded Merganser, is less well known, but it is here nonetheless, building its nest in tree cavities (or nest boxes) in wooded swamps and refuges and along the quieter parts of our streams and rivers. As summer birds they are somewhat inconspicuous, but during migration and winter they will be out in the open, on lakes and rivers where birders may gather to watch a smorgasbord of waterfowl; then a view of the elegant little males will generally elicit surprise and delight, especially if they are performing their courtship rituals. Mergansers in general are specialized ducks, with narrow, serrated bills for catching and holding fish, although the Hooded will take other kinds of prey as well, such as crayfish, frogs, and aquatic insects. This species is the only merganser that is solely North American—widespread but seldom found south of the Mexican border. We also have two other larger species that are found in the Old World as well, the Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, and there is a single Missouri record of an extremely rare vagrant species from Europe, the Smew.
IDENTIFICATION: Males are unmistakable. Females can fool you at first because they are mostly just brown, but the cinnamon crest marks them as something different, as does the thin dark bill with yellow on the sides. In flight, your first clue is the very rapid, buzzy wingbeat.
ST. LOUIS STATUS: A fairly common migrant species that peaks in March and again in November; also spends the winter here in smallish numbers as long as conditions are not too frigid. Summertime nesting pairs are found occasionally here and there in areas with wooded wetlands such as Marais Temps Clair CA, B.K. Leach CA, and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge.
Learn more and listen to the calls of Hooded Mergansers here.
Pair in flight
Photo Credit: Al Smith
Ducklings with mom
