The Hooded Merganser is a small, striking duck known for its distinctive crest that can be raised or lowered. Males have a black and white head with a prominent white patch, while females are more subdued in color, featuring a brownish head and a lighter body. These ducks are often found in freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds across North America. Hooded Mergansers primarily feed on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects, using their sharp eyesight to hunt underwater. They are excellent divers and can stay submerged for up to 30 seconds. During the breeding season, they nest in tree cavities, often using abandoned nests of other birds, such as Wood Ducks.