Seward, Alaska
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, I photographed a small, crestless, chocolate-brown duck paddling around with four larger MALLARD ducklings in a freshwater creek near the tidelands. Who was this mystery duck?
Many thanks to waterfowl expert Tasha who identified it as a female HOODED MERGANSER! A female Hoody has white under the chin, dark eyes, and a bicolored bill. She noted that her distinctive crest is not present during a molt or in a young bird. Without the bird in hand, she said it’s hard to differentiate between a molting adult or a juvenile.
She also noted that a lot of ducklings are now flying, so there’s no telling where this unusual Hooded Merganser female came from. If she is an adult, it would be fantastic if she were considering taking up residence in a convenient nest box waiting for her with her handsome beau.
We are lucky to see a male or female in the winter and sometimes in the fall or spring. If we’re really lucky, we score on a pair. The last time I saw a pair was on April 5, 2025, at Nash Road wetlands. For photos, see the Sporadic Bird Blog athttps://sporadicbird.blogspot.com/2025/04/sunday-april-5-2025-hooded-mergansers.html
The Mallard ducklings were pretty cute too, with bits of baby fuzz still sticking out from their heads. Tasha also noted that their primary wing feathers are not yet fully grown.
This is the first time this summer that I’ve observed a Hoody in this stream with the assorted duckling families and the first time I’ve seen a Hooded Merganser without a crest; she looked so different!
I hope she graces us with her presence again.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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