Two Male Hooded Mergansers - Laphódytes cucullátus

28 March 2013

When I first glimpsed these two swimming amidst some other ducks I could tell they were different but wasn't sure if they were Bufflehead or maybe even Wood Ducks.  But they are definitely a pair of male Hoodies.   A previous post of the Hooded Mergansers on 18 January 2013 showed all female - perhaps they don't form mated bonds as other ducks seem to do.








from wikipedia - "their preferred habitat for breeding is in swamps and wooded ponds of the northern half of the United States and southern Canada. They prefer to nest in tree cavities near water, but will use Wood Duck nesting boxes if available and unoccupied. They form pairs in early winter. The male leaves the female soon after she lays her eggs, leaving her responsible for all incubation. After hatching, chicks leave the nest with their mother within 24 hours; they are already able to dive and feed themselves, although they remain with their mother for another five weeks."