The Hooded Merganser is the smallest of the three merganser species and is the only one that occurs solely in North America. The species breeds mostly in eastern Canada, where it is found in the highest densities in the Great Lakes Region in southern Ontario and Quebec. The species is also found in southeast Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, and the Maritimes. Its population status and numbers are difficult to determine accurately, due to the species’ secretive nature, its association with forested wetlands, and the fact that it nests in tree cavities. Furthermore, the Hooded Merganser is difficult to detect during fixed-wing aerial surveys, and an important part of its breeding range in the boreal forest is not covered very well by current surveys. Overall, mergansers are not heavily harvested by hunters. However, the Hooded Merganser is the most harvested of the three merganser species, but its harvest levels in Canada have declined slightly since the 1970s. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
This species is not a highly sought-after or commonly harvested game bird in Canada, but, like many other sea ducks, impacts from hunting are unknown (Dugger et al. 2009). Deforestation and acid rain may be potential threats for this species in some parts of its range. Other conservation concerns for the Hooded Merganser include the availability of suitable nesting cavities and the degradation and loss of wetlands (Lepage 2013a).
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:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
