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Lophodytes cucullatus
Along with Wood Ducks and other cavity-nesting ducks, Hooded Mergansers often lay their eggs in other females’ nests. This is called “brood parasitism” and is similar to the practice of Brown-headed Cowbirds, except that the ducks only lay eggs in nests of their own species. Female Hooded Mergansers can lay up to about 13 eggs in a clutch, but nests have been found with up to 44 eggs in them. (Cornell)
Spotted on Jan 30, 2014
Submitted on Feb 2, 2014
8 Comments
Thanks for the nice comment Alice. Hooded Mergansers are such nice looking birds.
Very Nice! Tom
Ashley, I agree that Buffleheads are hard to get close enough for nice shots. They're smart little birds:-)
Great photo! I have managed to get good photos of these guys too (unlike everything else you post haha), and I only managed to do it by running towards them as soon as they dove and freezing when they came up until they dove again. Only works for them, buffleheads have my strategy figured out and don't like to play haha
Thanks Joan. I noticed him ahead of me in the river, and I made believe I didn't see him until I got to an opening between the trees and was able to get a couple of shots before he flew.
Beautiful shot.
Thanks gatorfellows, they are nice looking ducks.
lovely :)