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The Hooded Mergansers
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Time to feature a visually striking duck that may be seen this time of year at the foot of Capitol Hill on the Anacostia River. The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is the smallest and least common of three mergansers species found in North America. The other two are the Red-throated Merganser and the Common Merganser which was a feature of this column in April of 2007. All three species may be seen in the DC region in the winter.
Males are identified by a spectacular large white crest located at the back of the head that may be prominently displayed or lowered. Other identifying features include bright gold eyes, black head, brownish-black back, rusty sides and white chest bordered by black and white stripes. The adult female is brownish overall with a more subtle reddish crest. From a distance, males may be confused with the more common small diving duck called a Bufflehead.
Mergansers are noted for having a long, serrated bill that is used to catch prey, particularly fish. Unlike the others, however, Hoodeds will feed on more than just fish, including aquatic insects, frogs and crayfish. Their breeding range covers most of the eastern portions of North America and Pacific Northwest and is most common around the Great Lakes region.
Their preferred habitat is forested wetland systems that include swamps, beaver ponds and rivers. Like the Wood duck, the Hooded Merganser nests in tree cavities preferring heights from 10 to 15 feet above the ground. Between 10 to 12 eggs are usually laid. Within 24 hours after the eggs are hatched, the ducklings will jump to the ground and head for the water. The mother and ducklings will remain together for about 10 weeks. Hooded Mergansers have been the beneficiaries of the wood box program set up for Wood Ducks as they also may use them.
In the winter, they are likely to be seen in shallow freshwater ponds, brackish bays, estuaries, and tidal creeks. These were photographed in the Kingman Lake section of the Anacostia River adjacent to the RFK Stadium parking area. On wintering grounds, Hooded Mergansers tend to congregate in small flocks and during this time will begin to display courtship behaviors which you can see this in this photo as the male tips back its head and fans his crest.
So how many Hooded Mergansers are there in the area? A check of the District’s Christmas Bird Count Data that goes back to 1915 seems to indicate that they have increased their presence in the area beginning in the mid 1970s. Prior to that, there were relatively few reports. The highest number reported was 126 individuals in 1989; in 2008, 39 were tallied. A good DC location to observe them in the winter is the pond next to Valley Road at the National Arboretum.
Federal Duck Stamp Program
Begun in 1934 by legislation signed by President Roosevelt, these annual stamps are federal licenses and are required for hunting migratory waterfowl. The purpose was to generate revenue designated exclusively for acquiring wetlands for what has become to be known as the National Wildlife Refuge System. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proudly points out that 98 cents of every dollar taken in is used for wetlands habitat acquisitions or leasing. Artists participate in a competition each year. The Hooded Merganser has been featured three times, 1968, 1978 and 2005. We congratulate Waldorf, MD artist Robert Bealle as the winner of this year’s competition for his depiction of the American Wigeon which will be on the 2010 stamp.
Help Out in the Mid-Winter Bird Survey
For the past 11 years, the DC Audubon Society has conducted a midwinter bird survey of the C&O Canal. The next one will be on Saturday, January 24, 2010. Participants are assigned 2 to 3 miles and they record both the species and numbers they observe. If you are interested in participating, go to DC Audubon’s web site for further information: http://dcaudubon.org/
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