Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)

Overview

Summary

© Glen Tepke (www.pbase.com/gtepke)
For additional photos and vocalizations, visit Dendroica. (Link opens in a new window.)

The Hooded Merganser is the smallest of the three merganser species and is the only one that occurs solely in North America. The Hooded Merganser breeds mostly in eastern Canada, with the highest densities in the Great Lakes Region of southern Ontario, and in Quebec. The species also occurs in southeast Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Population status and numbers are difficult to accurately determine or estimate due to its secretive nature, association with forested wetlands and tree cavity nesting habits. Also, it is difficult to differentiate the three merganser species during surveys. However, survey results suggest a positive trend in population size relative to the early 1970s. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.

Designations

Population status

Population estimate

Distribution maps

• BirdLife International / NatureServe

Migration strategy, occurrence

Responsibility for conservation of world population

Conservation and management

The highest priority needs for the Hooded Merganser areimproved information on population size, population trends and population delineation. Deforestation and acid rain may be potential threats for this species in some parts of its range as well as degradation and loss of wetlands (Lepage 2013a). This species is not a highly sought after or harvested game bird in Canada but, like many other sea ducks, impacts of hunting are unknown.

Bird conservation region strategies

Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:

• conservation concerns (i.e., species vulnerable due to population size, distribution, population trend, abundance, or threats)
• stewardship responsibilities (i.e., species that typify the regional avifauna or have a large proportion of their range or population in the sub-region)
• management concerns (i.e., species that require ongoing management because of their socio-economic importance as game species, or because of their impacts on other species or habitats)
• other concerns (i.e., species deemed a priority by regional experts for other reasons than those listed above or because they are listed as species at risk or concern at the provincial level)

Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.

References

• Canadian Wildlife Service Waterfowl Committee. 2014. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2014. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. Canadian Wildlife Service Waterfowl Committee. 2014. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2014. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. (Link)
• Lepage, C. 2013a. Hooded Merganser. pp. 195–200 In: Status of Quebec Waterfowl Populations, 2009. Lepage, C. and D. Bordage (eds). Technical Report Series No. 525, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Québec Region, Quebec City. xiii + 243 pp. Lepage, C. 2013a. Hooded Merganser. pp. 195–200 In: Status of Quebec Waterfowl Populations, 2009. Lepage, C. and D. Bordage (eds). Technical Report Series No. 525, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Québec Region, Quebec City. xiii + 243 pp. (Link)