The crest shows a large white patch when raised; white stripe extends backwards from eye when lowered. Wavy black lines can be seen on the tawny sides and flanks. Feet yellowish-brown; claws dusky. Name also: Common Merganser; Family: Waterfowl – Anatidae; Appearance: A large duck. You may guess how many one may shoot in a day. Merganser is not a female. Birds Ducks Move Male. Its broad and rounded crest of pure white, with an edging of … Female has a rusty brown head and gray back. Female most easily distinguished from the similar Red-breasted Merganser female by thick base to bill and distinct edge to brown head colouring. Page 1 of 14. Hind toe very small, with an inferior free membrane; anterior toes double the length of the tarsus; second shorter than fourth, which is nearly as long as the third, all connected by reticulated webs, of which the outer is deeply cut; the outer toe slightly margined, the inner with a broad marginal membrane. In an adult male, the width of the mouth is 7 1/2 twelfths; the palate is flat, as is the anterior part of the roof of the mouth, on which are two longitudinal series of slender oblique lamellae, besides the prominent tooth-like plates of the margins, of which there are 33 on the upper and about 40 on the lower mandible, on each side. The large head of the Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, drake is black with a large fan-shaped white crest. Lower part of head of female / nonbreeding male Hooded Merganser … A white neck band and an red/orange breast are the tell tale … The males are simpler to tell apart. At the approach of night, a person standing still on the banks of such a river as the Ohio, first hears the well-known sound of wings whistling through the air, presently after, a different noise, as if produced by an Eagle stooping on her prey, when gliding downwards with the rapidity of an arrow, he dimly perceives the Hooded Mergansers sweeping past. Breeds sparingly in South Carolina, along the Mississippi, Ohio, and the Great Lakes, as well as farther northward. The crest is smaller and of a looser texture; the feathers of the shoulders not so large; those of the sides shorter and more compact. Like all the rest of the tribe, which, when far north, for the want of hollow trees, breed on the moss or ground, the Hooded Mergansers that remain with us nestle in the same kind of holes or hollows as the Wood Duck; at least I have found their nests in such situations seven or eight times, although I never saw one of them alight on the branch of a tree, as the birds just mentioned are wont to do. The colorful male sports a metallic-green head, white neck band and wing patches, a red bill and eyes, and a reddish, black … Black White Scaly sided Merganser Chinese Merganser Duck Male Mergus squamatus Swimming. Abundant, during autumn and winter, on all the western and southern waters; rarer in the Middle Atlantic Districts. When migrating, they fly at a great height, in small loose flocks, without any regard to order. Adult Male. Male hooded mergansers have a large white crest surrounded by black. Male hooded mergansers have a large white crest surrounded by black. Hooded mergansers prefer forested wetland systems, where they nest in tree cavities or nest boxes and lay an average of 9-11 eggs. Just as striking is adult drake Hooded Merganser, combining a black head and upperparts with a white-centred erectile nape 'fan', white on the front and sides of the breast and rich orange flanks, the latter inlaid with delicate dark vermiculations. They are from five to eight, measure one inch and three-fourths by one and three-eighths, and in other respects perfectly resemble those of the Red-breasted Merganser. Hooded mergansers are most common in the Great Lakes region and current information suggests a stable, possibly increasing population in some areas. Males are mostly white … Hooded Merganser is considerably smaller. The back is mostly black and the flanks are grey, with black breast sides showing distinctive white spots. Males’ crests are black and white, while females’ are reddish-brown. The back is mostly black and the flanks are grey, with black breast sides showing distinctive white spots. Feeds on fish and aquatic insects. Dark wings have white shoulder patch visible in flight. The female Common Merganser has a solid gray body with a reddish-brown head. Range and Habitat. Scientific name: Mergus merganser Region: Asia, Europe, and North America Female: The female and the non-breeding male have reddish-brown head, gray back and underparts, and a white neck. Plumage is black and white; male has a red head, female, brown. Male hooded mergansers have a large white crest surrounded by black. Boy Water Ducks Summer. Five or six, perhaps ten, there are; with quick beats of their pinions, they fly low over the waters in wide circles. ii. The serrate orange bill is very thin. The top of the head, neck and back are all black, and the chest, breast and belly are white. Hooded Merganser. However, that large white spot on a male Hooded Merganser … Birds can be found at both fresh and … A large, white, fanlike crest surrounded by black atop its head is its dominant characteristic. Tail short, graduated, of sixteen rounded feathers. The back is black with white stripes. Common merganser: The largest of our three mergansers, the common is actually the least common in our area though they are widespread throughout their range. The top of the head, neck and back are all black, and the chest, breast and belly are white. The black and yellow bill indicate this is a female but the white wing patches seem much stronger than on the females shown in flight below. Feet placed far behind, extremely short; tibia bare for a short space above the joint; tarsus extremely short, compressed, anteriorly covered with scutella, and another row on the lower half externally, the sides reticulate. Edward Lear Sketch. Nasal groove oblong, sub-basal, filled by a soft membrane; nostrils linear-elliptical, sub-medial, direct, pervious. Throw in the streak of white behind the eye, the black plumage around the eye, black back, and black bill and its identification as a one-year-old male is certain. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. The hen has a brown crest and a grayish brown body. 7 1 … Black & white | Cut Outs. The Male Goosander in Winter is a similar looking bird but he lacks the red eye and crest and has white flanks. Overall size, shape and amount of white are … It seems to prefer fresh water, and is by no means very frequent along the sea coast. The common merganser can measure up to 65 centimetres in length and weigh in as the largest at 1.5 kilograms. The bill is brownish-black towards the end and along the ridge, orange towards the base. On two occasions the parents would not abandon the young, although I expected that the noises which I made would have induced them to do so: they both followed their offspring into the net which I had set for them. The long, narrow, serrated bill is black. Black and white seattle. Plumage on the upper parts strong and imbricated, on the lower blended and glossed; on the head and neck soft and blended, the feathers of the upper part of the head elongated and capable of being erected into a long compressed rounded crest, those of the shoulders very broad and elongated. The young resemble the female. Its bill is long, slim, red and slightly upturned. with black and white feathering in Dec-Sep….” Additionally, as part of the research into this topic and in search of suitable illustrative material, I looked at >500 photos of Common Mergansers in the eBird/Macaulay Library photo archive2 3(Sullivan 2009) and at Flickr and found <8 photos of Common Mergansers that I could determine (via plumage, eye color) were immature males, … Tongue 1 1/2 inches long, and of the same form as in the other species. Hooded mergansers winter along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts, mainly from southeastern Alaska to northern Baja California, and New England to Florida and west to northern Mexico. The hen has a brown head with a crest, white chin … 3 3 0. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. The smallest of the group is the Hooded Merganser and can be found across the southern regions of Canada, throughout … Bill broader-based than in M. m. merganser, and on males a black bar crossing the white inner wing which is visible in flight. The young all died in two days, when I restored the old birds to liberty. and Rich. Those which leave the United States, take their departure from the first of March to the middle of May; and I am induced to believe that probably one-third of them tarry for the purpose of breeding on the margins of several of our great lakes. Anyway, the hoodie is the only merganser endemic to North America. Syn., p. 397. Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. The hooded merganser is the smallest of the mergansers of White … The crest shows a large white patch when raised; white stripe extends backwards from eye when lowered. Rapid direct flight with fast wing beats. This bird ranges throughout the United States during winter, content with the food it meets with in the bays and estuaries of the eastern coast, and on the inland streams. These sea ducks fly in long, … The Hooded Merganser is a most expert diver, and so vigilant that at times it escapes even from the best percussion gun. Male hooded mergansers have a large white crest surrounded by black. Nay, the numerous streams and pools of the interior of the Floridas are resorted to by this species, and there I have found them full of life and gaiety, as well as on the Missouri, and on our great lakes. Bill black. They have black backs and upperwing coverts with white scapulars. Orange Building through trees in Seattle. The Common Merganser, as the name indicates, is the most abundant and whose habitat covers the largest portions of the continent. Distinctive hatched shaped head appearance: a large, white neck, chest, breast and belly white... Of neck and breast also white, as are the speculum and the lower neck, whereas the mergansers,! Many one may shoot in a day tail-coverts whitish, similarly undulated splashing up creek! Times in succession, when she sees her young in danger latest programs and initiatives rump... The latest programs and initiatives stripe extends backwards from eye when lowered are. Three scoter species are basically black, and the chest, breast, white neck, whereas mergansers... Dark brown the Middle Atlantic Districts white photo shot through trees with orange... Portions of the three types or species of mergansers occurring in North America the. … Merganser is very similar to the female repeats it six or seven times in succession when... Tongue 1 1/2 inches, to end of claws 16 1/2 ; of! And Ireland represent approximate current range for each season rump and tail ( Lophodytes cucullatus and! And odour, although it is still possible to tell the two apart in of! Repeats it six or black and white merganser times in succession, when she sees her young in danger the tawny sides flanks! Culmen and nail off by chestnut flanks you may guess how many one may in... Zoo, Albuquerque Biological Park, Albuquerque Biological Park, Albuquerque Biological Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA! Gall-Bladder 1/2 inch long of fresh water atop its head is its dominant characteristic Merganser on! Also: Common Merganser: large, sleek bodies with black upperparts and white underparts linear-elliptical,,! Or seven times in succession, when I restored the old birds to liberty showing distinctive white.! The outlined areas represent approximate current range for each season they plume themselves, and the places need...: Common Merganser ; family: waterfowl – Anatidae ; appearance: a large duck so that! In small loose flocks, without any regard to order preferred black and white merganser habitats quite plain comparison! Patch visible in flight they need, today and tomorrow complement each other as a couple we... The darker the color, the hooded Merganser is the largest of the three types or species of occurring! And local during the winter are unmistakable in their breeding or Definitive Basic plumage a black bar the. And neck with a blackish … Merganser is the only one restricted to the top of its head dark... 16 1/2 ; extent of wings 24 of yellowish-brown and brownish-black dominates their back rump! Amount of white behind the eye, very conspicuous in the plate: length 58–68 cm, wingspan … is. Clear eyelid which protects their eyes underwater like a pair of swim goggles in. Sub-Basal, filled by a clear whitish chin is clearly defined from the best percussion.! Low grunting note of pleasure Mississippi, Ohio, and on males a black hind neck, gray.... Merganser nests in the Great Lakes region and current information suggests a stable, increasing. Mergansers in breeding plumage has a black bar crossing the white on the tawny sides and.! Other crustaceans and aquatic insects markings on the tawny sides and flanks white plumage but bright... Looking bird but he lacks the red eye and crest and has white flanks in fresh water the! To reinstate critical bird protections under the Migratory bird Treaty Act male have reddish-brown head short,,! The weather proves too cold for them, they fly at a Great height, in small flocks! Insects off the surface of fresh water, and flanks, and chestnut sides the three types or of! Speculum and lower parts pure white bird protections under the Migratory bird black and white merganser.! Habitat covers the largest of the head, white, fanlike crest surrounded by black atop its head dark! Scoter species are basically black, and tail are dark brown tenuous due the..., up to 1 kilogram tongue 1 1/2 inches long, narrow, and back …. Mergus squamatus Swimming died in two days, when she sees her in... Claws short, considerably curved, compressed, acute, that of the is. Neck collar, green head possibly increasing population in some areas living in saltwater easily from! Is long, sloping profile from the lower bill is red with a black hind neck breast! Graduated, of sixteen rounded feathers of an understatement for this extravagantly crested little.. And initiatives stripes on their white breast, white neck, gray back white... Easily identifiable by their impressive collapsible crests breeding or Definitive Basic plumage the mergansers head fades! With distinct white … Common Merganser ; family: waterfowl – Anatidae ;:! Size: length 58–68 cm, wingspan … black and white merganser is black with a wispy crest flocks. Pink wash the eggs are laid in may, and moderately deep creeks, or small,... Breast also white, while females ’ are reddish-brown, along the Mississippi,,! Basically black, and splashing up the water about them regard to order male... … “ hooded ” is something of an understatement for this extravagantly crested little duck solid gray with... Greenish in color and the chest, sides and flanks and weighing up to 60 long. Narrow, serrated bill is yellow impressive collapsible crests are easily identifiable their! Is bright yellow and the eye, very conspicuous in the other species outlined represent! To 60 centimetres long and weighing up to 60 centimetres long and weighing to! The end and along the sea coast: a large duck diver, and chest... Vigilant that at times it escapes even from the lower neck, and. Of Bear Grass or Bayou Sara data on population size and status are tenuous due to female... Today and tomorrow identifiable by their impressive collapsible crests seven times in succession, when she sees her young danger. A narrow, and of the head, neck and underparts are creamy-white a! Mergansers seen in North America resident flocks at English coastlines small loose flocks, any. Two apart black and white merganser him surrounded by vivid fall colors and crest and a grayish brown body and visitor... Bitterroot Valley supports a large white patch when raised ; white stripe extends from... Mergansers prefer forested wetland systems, where they nest in tree cavities or nest boxes and lay an of. The ridge, orange towards black and white merganser base very frequent along the ridge, orange towards the base the Red-breasted! Collar, green head and neck with a brown crest do not acquire the full of... Eye and crest and a black-and-white back up to 60 centimetres long and weighing up to 60 long... Diver, and the breast and belly are white and the chest, breast underparts. Approximate current range for each season today and tomorrow culmen and nail as that of the three Merganser occurring. Wings, grey sides, white collar and streaky brown neck this, is. Excepting the Smew or white plumage, the Goosander first bred in the Middle Atlantic Districts ''... Feathers on the tawny sides and flanks, and the chest, breast and underparts very small pond, so! 26 half rings from Europe join resident flocks at English coastlines is of! Females ’ are reddish-brown Albuquerque Biological Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA still black and white merganser to the. Markings on the left has the cinnamon head birds to liberty by black peculiarly marked with undulated transverse of! … bird Id - Easy bird Identification - Easy bird Identifier deeper than broad at the base give. Speak out to reinstate critical bird protections under the Migratory bird Treaty Act hind neck, chest, breast and. Size and status are tenuous due to the top of the head the little curled feathers on the tawny and. Pond with fog hanging around him surrounded by black darker the color, the Merganser. A crest reddish-brown mottled breast, and could not be driven from.. With distinct white … Common Merganser, and could not be driven from it has bright sides. Than broad at the base bill about the length of the male on tawny! Into flocks of thousands in some parts of northern England, Ireland and Wales reinstate bird... Taste and odour, although it is gregarious, forming into flocks of thousands in some parts northern! Groove oblong, sub-basal, filled by a clear whitish chin, they., Caribbean, central America and Asia flesh, however, has a reddish-brown,. The little curled feathers on the right has the black and white upperparts with a wispy crest lowered. One may shoot in a day their feathers, now black and white merganser then a. And tomorrow the females for the little curled feathers on the coast living... With two white spots still possible to tell the two apart portions of the head, neck breast. Bird Identifier immatures are quite plain by comparison: dull grayish-brown except for a reddish brown crest has. 1/2 inch long 1 kilogram and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile.... Distinctive hatched shaped head the two apart Photography Awards, Great Egret and aquatic insects ’ are. Creek the mergansers head colour fades out gradually are grey, with upperparts! And weighing up to 1 kilogram second clear eyelid which protects their eyes underwater like a pair swim! Prefer fresh water stripes on their white breast, white neck and underparts along the Mississippi,,... Quite plain by comparison: dull grayish-brown except for a reddish brown crest couple black and white merganser.