The Hooded Merganser is unmistakable, as both sexes wear the namesake feature, albeit in different colours. This small diving duck uses its thin saw-toothed bill to catch and hold slippery fish underwater.
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Hooded Merganser
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Large Increase
Confidence: Very High
Goal
Within Goal Range
The only merganser species restricted to North America, Hooded Merganser breeds in all provinces but reaches its highest densities in southern Quebec. The species winters primarily along the Pacific Coast and in the southeastern United States, although some remain as far north as the lower Great Lakes. There are approximately 860,000 individuals breeding in Canada, representing 78% of the global population and a very high degree of responsibility for Canada. The Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Count, and Eastern Waterfowl Survey all indicate that the Canadian population of Hooded Merganser has more than tripled since the early 1970s, providing very high confidence in a large increase for this species. The national population of Hooded Merganser is within its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Short-distance
Resident
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
860,000
Annual
860,000
Global
1,100,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Wetland Birds
Waterfowl
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Hooded Merganser. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/3j0q-9c16
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The Hooded Merganser is unmistakable, as both sexes wear the namesake feature, albeit in different colours. This small diving duck uses its thin saw-toothed bill to catch and hold slippery fish underwater.
Distribution and Occurrence
870
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Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
Christmas Bird Count
Breeding Bird Survey
British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Wetland Birds
Waterfowl
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Hooded Merganser. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/3j0q-9c16