Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is in the Ducks, Geese, and Swans family (Anatidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 55,567 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: winter visitor. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Hooded Merganser: observations by month (U.S.)
About Hooded Merganser
The hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a species of small duck. It is the only extant species in the genus Lophodytes. The genus name derives from the Greek language: lophos meaning 'crest', and dutes meaning diver. The bird is striking in appearance; both sexes have crests that they can raise or lower, and the breeding plumage of the male is handsomely patterned and coloured. The hooded merganser has a sawbill but is not classified as aFrom Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Hooded Merganser by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,646 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Washington | 4,900 | March | Oct–Aug |
| Maryland | 2,934 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 2,933 | January | Nov–Mar |
| New York | 2,928 | March | Nov–Apr |
| Florida | 2,767 | December | Nov–Feb |
| Virginia | 2,626 | February | Nov–Apr |
| Texas | 2,528 | January | Nov–Feb |
| Oregon | 2,375 | January | Oct–Apr |
| Minnesota | 2,280 | April | Mar–May |
| Colorado | 1,801 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Ohio | 1,710 | March | Nov–Apr |
| Illinois | 1,599 | March | Nov–Apr |
| New Jersey | 1,340 | January | Nov–Mar |
| North Carolina | 1,326 | January | Nov–Feb |
| Michigan | 1,227 | March | Nov–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 1,141 | March | Nov–Mar |
| Vermont | 1,131 | April | Mar–Apr |
| South Carolina | 1,082 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Wisconsin | 983 | March | Mar–Jul |
| Georgia | 663 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Connecticut | 603 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Idaho | 575 | November | Nov–Mar |
| Maine | 478 | March | Feb–Jan |
| New Hampshire | 416 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Nevada | 395 | November | Nov–Mar |
| Alabama | 370 | January | Nov–Feb |
| Indiana | 363 | March | Nov–Apr |
| Delaware | 357 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Tennessee | 349 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Arizona | 340 | January | Nov–Mar |
| New Mexico | 324 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Montana | 317 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 289 | February | Nov–Mar |
| West Virginia | 267 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Utah | 244 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Missouri | 241 | December | Nov–May |
| Rhode Island | 227 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Louisiana | 207 | December | Nov–Jan |
| Kansas | 202 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Mississippi | 164 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Alaska | 135 | November | Sep–Jan |
| South Dakota | 135 | March | Nov–Apr |
| Iowa | 130 | March | Mar–May |
| Kentucky | 107 | January | Nov–Apr |
| Arkansas | 106 | February | Dec–Mar |
| North Dakota | 100 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Nebraska | 82 | March | Mar–Jun |
| District of Columbia | 68 | February | Feb–Feb |
| Wyoming | 51 | February | Dec–Apr |
| Hawaii | 5 | January | Jan–Jan |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Hooded Merganser?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from November to April.
Where is Hooded Merganser most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Maryland.