In a recent observation of hooded mergansers at Warm Slough west of Rexburg, writer Bill Schiess witnessed a dramatic battle between two male birds over a female. The aggressor grabbed the other male by the neck and dragged him under water in a vicious fight. The loser eventually escaped, leaving the victor and the female to fly away together.
Moving to a deeper pool, Schiess observed the mergansers displaying and harvesting crayfish. One male surfaced with a huge crayfish, proceeding to violently prepare and consume it by removing its claws and legs. The birds are built to eat crunchy food, with specialized features such as a strong gizzard and special eyes for capturing prey underwater.
Hooded mergansers are cavity nesters, with the female laying eggs in trees near water. Once the eggs hatch, the female leads the ducklings to water where they can find food and survive. The population of hooded mergansers is increasing, especially in the Midwest where nest boxes are being built and maintained for them.
Overall, the beauty and intensity of hooded mergansers in pursuit of a mate and while gathering food make them a fascinating species to observe in the wild. To read more stories like this, visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/.
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