Adventures Outdoors'
In Wisconsin
HOODED MERGANSER
(Mergus Merganser)
ABOUT THEM
The Hooded Merganser has incredible speed reaching over 100 mph. Occasionally they make a grunting like sound but are mostly silent. They fly in small flocks or pairs and are very swift and direct. Their wing beats are very fast. They prefer forested wetlands where they nest in tree cavities or Wood Duck houses. The Hen lays between 9-11 eggs. Most of them winter along the Mississippi flyway down to the Gulf of Mexico. They are most popular along the Great Lakes region. They are the smallest of the 3 mergansers. They eat 80% animal matter consisting of fish, crayfish, and aquatic insects. Accurate population estimates are hard to find because of their secretive nature. But their population appears to be stable.
DESCRIPTION
The Drake has a dark green head with a white fan shaped crest, two black stripes on his sides and a chestnut coloring on the sides, a white breast and black bill. The Hen has a brownish head, with a reddish crest, grayish sides and chest, a black bill with an orange tint. They both have yellow or olive feet.
SIZE
Ave. length = 18"
Ave. weight = 1.5 lbs
Wingspan = 25"