Dave's getting good at this, that is indeed a Hooded Merg hen. The drake is one of our more striking waterfowl, but as is typical with ducks the females are rather drab. Mergansers are notable among ducks for their thin bills, which are serrated and function like teeth alowing them to catch fish. They are diving ducks, not dabblers like Mallards. There was a pair last time we visited Connecticut, but I think they left before Dave woke up, so he's either got a field guide or just showing off his searchcraft. Nice bird for the property (that's VA I take it?)
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- alex 5-29-2009 1:13 pm