Hooded Merganser
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Lophodytes cucullatus
Vagrants from North America with 10 records for Britain & 5 for Ireland between October-March.
Breeds in the Northern USA & Southern Canada.
Males have the dorsal areas and the head, neck and breast are mainly black with white markings; there are large white patches on either side of the crest, and they are particularly conspicuous when he raises his crest during courtship.
The flanks are reddish-brown or chesnut.
Females have a greyish-brown body, with a narrow white patch over the lower breast and belly. She has a light reddish-brown crest extending from the back of the head.
During the nonbreeding season the Male looks similar to the Female, except that his eyes are yellow and the female's eyes are brown.