Hooded Merganser

This Hooded Merganser was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. As you might have guessed by looking at the picture where they get their name from, yep its that football helmet they are wearing, but serious its their distinctive crest. The black head and white patch can vary in size, because the feathers can be raised or lowered as needed to scared off predators, attract females and ward off rivals.

Picture here is an adult male Hooded Merganser which can be determined by its black top portion, with a white breast and rich chestnut flanks along with that wonderful black head an white patch. Another distinctive marking that is used to determine them as with other birds species is the color of the Hooded Mergansers eyes take another look and you will notice that they have piercing yellow eyes.

Hooded Mergansers are common on streams and small ponds. They prefer forested small ponds, marshes or slow moving streams. On these bodies of water they dive for fish, crayfish, and other food,which they seize it in their thin, serrated bills.

EXIF Data

Aperture – ƒ/6.3
Camera – NIKON D90
Date Created – 2013:02:11 13:31
Focal length – 500mm
ISO – 1250
Exposure Time – 1/500