Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
 Hooded Merganser male with his crest up |
General Description: Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) are sexually dimorphic pond "ducks" with a long, thin bill. Males have a black head and back with a white crest that can be raised and lowered. The breast is white with two black bars, and the flanks are rusty. Females are rusty brown overall with some white in the wings and a shaggy crest (it is always a bad hair day for lady mergansers). Taxonomy: Anseriformes, Anatidae, Anatinae Favored Habitat: Ponds and marshes; places with fish to eat. |
 Hooded Merganser female with her crest up |
Where to Find: Hooded Mergansers are uncommon around Las Vegas, but look for them at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, the Pahranagat Valley and the Overton Wildlife Management Area. Comments: These birds dive for fish, which they catch in their long, saw-tooth-edged bill. |
 Hooded Merganser male with crest up |
 Hooded Merganser male with crest up |
 Canada Geese and Hooded Merganser male |
 Hooded Merganser male with crest down |
 Drab plumage of winter male; crest down |
 Drab plumage of winter male; crest down |
 Hooded Merganser female with crest down |
 Hooded Merganser female with crest down |
 Female Hooded Mergansers foraging in tide pools |
 Female Hooded Mergansers foraging in tide pools |
 Hooded Mergansers; Dunedin, Florida |
 Hooded Mergansers; Dunedin, Florida |
 Female Hooded Mergansers |
 Female Hooded Mergansers |
 The ladies out for a swim |
 Hooded Mergansers; Dunedin, Florida |
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240103
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