 |
| Fact Sheet |
|---|
| Scientific Name |
Lophodytes cucullatus |
| Wing spread |
26 inches |
| Body length |
18 inches |
| Weight |
1.6 pounds |
| Description |
Males have a black head with a white spot on crest, black back, brown sides, white chest and belly, and gray patch on shoulder. Females are brownish gray on head, chest and sides, and have a dark back. Both sexes have white bars on the wing speculum. |
| Nesting Habitat |
Typically nests in tree cavities. |
| Clutch size |
11 eggs |
| Incubation period |
32 days |
| Status in North Dakota |
Uncommon during migration, but a fairly common nester in wooded habitat. Eastern North Dakota is considered secondary breeding range. |
| Food habits |
Aquatic insects, small panfish and minnows, crayfish and frogs. |
| Fun Facts |
In an effort to attract a mate, the male hooded merganser may swim rapidly around the female, then leap into the air and perform a somersault before splashing back into the water. The hooded merganser competes with wood ducks for nesting cavities in North Dakota. |
