Definition

Noun: 1. A small species of diving duck native to North America, scientifically named Lophodytes cucullatus. It is most notable for the male's distinctive large, fan-shaped crest on its head, which is black with a large white patch. This crest can be raised or lowered, giving the bird a "hooded" appearance.

Usage and Examples

• General Use: The term "hooded merganser" is used to specifically identify this species of duck in ornithology, birdwatching, and general nature contexts.
  • We were lucky to spot a pair of hooded mergansers on the lake this morning.
  • The hooded merganser is known for its excellent underwater vision, which helps it catch fish.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• Ornithological Context: In detailed descriptions, the term is used to discuss the bird's anatomy, behavior, and habitat.
  • The diet of the hooded merganser consists primarily of small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.
  • Unlike the common merganser, the hooded merganser has a much smaller, more slender bill.

Variants and Related Words

• Merganser (Noun): The broader genus of diving ducks to which the hooded merganser belongs. Other types include the common merganser and the red-breasted merganser.
• Lophodytes cucullatus (Noun): The scientific (Latin) name for the hooded merganser.

Synonyms

• Hooded sheldrake (an older, less common name).
• Fish duck (a general, informal term for mergansers).

Related Phrases and Terms

• Crest-raising display: A specific behavior of the male hooded merganser during courtship, where it dramatically raises its large head crest.
  • The male performed a crest-raising display to attract the female.

Noun

1. small North American duck with a high circular crest on the male's head