Monday, December 3, 2012

Boyz In Da Hood

You won't find these Hooded Mergansers in the 'hoods of Phoenix. They prefer the swanky and grandiose ponds around Fountain Hills for their wintering, where they rub shoulders with other aristocratic waterfowl like Northern Pintails and Buffleheads while cavorting near the world's tallest fountain. In fact, this is about the only place to consistently find these saw-billed ducks in Phoenix, though I've also seen them at the Papago Ponds (1 female) and at the Box Bar recreation sight.

When I made it out to Fountain Hills the Merganser numbers were still pretty low. I only counted three individuals--all male--but their numbers may well exceed a couple dozen by December, and they can even be seen indulging in mating displays and other vanity festivals. Gordon Karre has some exceptional photos of the Fountain Hills Merganser here.


They stayed a little bit distant for me, but it was still neat to watch them cruise around with their unique and jaw-dropping headgear. This Ruddy Duck seemed to think that, since he also had white on his face, he could be a part of the gang.

Eww!! Ruddy Ducks do not get to hang out with super suave Hooded Mergansers.


 Wood Ducks may be the most colorful indigenous waterfowl in North America, but it's a challenge to find any waterfowl more eye-catching than a Hoody gettin' on his hood. It will not surprise me at all if the recent Mars rover discovery turns out to be Hooded Mergansers hanging out on Mars. The headpiece strikes me as very martian.

17 comments:

  1. Martians indeed! Thanks for pointing that out. Poor un-suave winter-plumaged Ruddy... Come spring they will be in the same class!

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    1. Good point about the Ruddy. His time will come.

      I wonder if the Hoodies will swallow their pride ad admit his aesthetic ascendancy in the spring? I bet they'll be smug and migrate away before he's molted, thus maintain plausible deniability that he'll ever be as beautiful as they are.

      Thanks for swinging by Jen.

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  2. Nice blog post. Love the Ruddy sandwiched between the Hoodies! I realy feel honored to be mentioned in your post, but humbled as well. Thanks for a great post!

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    1. Oh posh Gordon your photos are always top notch!
      You've got a great work rate and you put out so much excellent material. It's nice to see you brining more life and publicity to the Phoenix birding scene.

      Cheers!

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  3. You really got some great shots of this beauty! I am still looking for them. I know they are here....somewhere:) Just so blasted busy with everything else, I can't search. Yet more awesomeness:)

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    1. Yeah things are hectic!
      Well, maybe another Phoenix birding trip is in order eh? I could take you and Kathie on a grand tour of the valley. At any rate, Fountain hills was my last bigger day trip (and it wasn't even that big) since then it's been small park stuff and a couple brief outings to the GWR.

      This coming weekend I'm heading out to the Lake Havasu area though to try for some Scoters, Loons, and the Nutting's Flycatcher.
      Good luck to us all!

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  4. Great shots Laurence, I never seem to get as close up. Great looks.

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    1. Thanks Dan. I disguised myself as a gothic punk-rocker to earn their trust, but even that wasn't the best They're tricky birds.

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  5. Enjoyed your post today. I'll never forget the first time I saw Hooded M's. I was enraptured. Thanks for the link to Gordon's blog. What gorgeous pictures! I'm a bit envious of his talent. ~karen

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Karen
      Gordon is a photographic stud!

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  6. Wonderful post Laurence, I'm green with envy because I don't get to photograph these regal saw-bills!

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    1. Hooray! I was hoping to turn somebody green!
      Thanks for stopping by the blog Mia; it seems that now you'll have to stop by Arizona again too.

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  7. Great photographs, Laurence! Hooded Mergansers are truly very handsome ducks! I am fortunate to be able to view several at a local pond, but they seem to be especially coy. I enjoy seeing the female with her ruddy mohawk do, as well.

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    1. Thanks Julie,
      They do seem more skittish here than most of the other ducks, though they're not nearly as bad as the Buffleheads.
      Female Hoodies may well be the coolest female waterfowl.

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  8. Excellent birds. I've never seen a hooded merganser before, and to be honest with you, I would like to see one.

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    1. Cheers Mike, I am glad that you feel you can be honest with me. You know, my door is always open.
      They don't make it into Iowa huh?
      Well, a guess a west coast area trip is in order for you then...

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  9. Nice Pics Laurence. I love this species too!

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