Hoodie couple

The male Hooded Merganser in breeding plumage is one of the most comely ducks in the neighbourhood. Yet, it is not seen all that often.

The Kootenay Lake website offers other pictures of local mergansers on the page about diving ducks.

Three merganser species have been seen around the Lake. The commonly seen one is appropriately named the Common Merganser. Much harder to find, and smallest of all, is the Hooded Merganser (the hoodie). Only rarely seen is the Red–breasted Merganser.

I was fortunate yesterday to watch a Hooded Merganser couple on a local pond. Sometimes the male had his hood up, sometimes down. I even managed to record them in flight (below).

Male Hooded Merganser in breeding plumage with his hood raised

The hoodie couple cruising across the pond

The couple takes off