The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus): The smallest of the three mergansers occurring in North America (male average length 18.1in, average weight 1.6 lbs.), the hooded merganser is also the only one restricted to North America. The male hooded mergansers have a large white crest surrounded by black. The top of the head, neck, and back are all black and the chest, breast, and belly are white. Wavy black lines can be seen on the tawny sides and flanks. The hindback, rump, and tail are dark brown.
Hooded mergansers breed throughout North America and prefer forested wetland systems where they nest in tree cavities or nest boxes and lay an average of 9 to 11 eggs.
This Hooded Merganser drawing was entered into the New York State duck stamp competition in 1994. The research for the drawing was done on the Northern shoreline of Oneida Lake facing Louis Point. The male Merganser is depicted with a buck-eye minnow during feeding and in the distant mist a pair of Mergansers are drifting into the scene.
Hooded Merganser is limited edition print in black and white with only 100 signed and numbered prints. Printed on 80# cotton off-white, acid-free paper. Image size is 7 1/4 x 10 inches.
