Hooded merganser

Description:

This duck is the smallest merganser commonly found in Washington. Hooded Mergansers have a crest that, like a fan, can be spread or closed. Like other mergansers, it has a narrow, serrate bill. The male in breeding plumage is distinctive, with olive-brown sides and a black back accented with white stripes down the middle of a few long feathers. His breast is white with two black bars on each side. The black border surrounding the white crest extends to the face, which is punctuated with a yellow eye.

Habitat:

Spotted in the estuary waters of the Nisqually river at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Habitat destruction and the loss of nesting cavities have undoubtedly resulted in a decline, although in recent decades numbers have stabilized and appear to be on the increase in many areas with the help of nest boxes and wetland-restoration efforts. Hooded Mergansers have a relatively small population and low productivity rates due to their delayed onset of breeding (not breeding until age two). They are also slow to colonize new breeding areas, making it more important to conserve the areas where this duck is currently breeding.