Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, is a duck of North America, breeding from south-east Alaska and the north-western United States through southern Manitoba to Nova Scotia, and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida. In the non-breeding season it reaches southern California, southern Texas and southern Florida. It is the only living member of Lophodytes and is not classed as a typical merganser. Both sexes have a crest that can be lifted or flattened, and the male’s breeding plumage is notably patterned. It has a sawbill.

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans

Breeding range

North America: se Alaska to nw USA; s Manitoba to Nova Scotia (c, se Canada) to e Texas and n Florida (e, se USA)

Nonbreeding range

to s California, s Texas and s Florida