| Hooded Merganser Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Small, compact diving duck - Long, pointed bill with serrated edges - Erectile, fan-like crest extends from back of head - Dark bill and wings - Often cocks its tail like a Ruddy Duck - Immature similar to adult female Adult male - Yellow eye - Black head and back - Large white patch in the center of the crest - White breast and belly - Black and white stripes at forward portion of reddish flanks - Dark tail - Inner half of upperwings whitish, bordered by 2 dark bars - Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer - Male in basic eclipse plumage similar to adult female Adult female - Brown eye - Cold gray-brown head, neck, flanks, back, and upperwings with paler breast - Faint reddish tinge to crest - White belly Similar species Adult male in alternate plumage is unmistakable. Female vaguely similar to other mergansers but much smaller with reddish fan-like crests and dark bill. |
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