The Hooded Merganser
The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a striking, small duck known for its distinctive crest, which males can raise or lower. Males feature a bold black-and-white hood and chestnut-colored flanks, while females are more subdued, with brown bodies and a cinnamon crest. Found across North America, these birds favor freshwater habitats like ponds, rivers, and marshes, often nesting in tree cavities.
