Birdland

Behold The Hooded Merganser

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says it best, noting that “hooded” is something of an understatement for this extravagantly crested little duck. Adult males are a sight to behold, with sharp black-and-white patterns set off by chestnut flanks. Females get their own distinctive elegance from a cinnamon-colored crest. The Hooded Merganser is the smallest of the three merganser species in North America. They dive for fish, crayfish, and other food and spot their prey underwater using a nictating membrane (third eyelid) that is clear and protects their eyes – just like a pair of goggles. This Hooded Merganser was photographed at Ferril Lake in City Park by Park Hill resident Mark Silverstein.