This article was written by Sharon Hanzik, PWLCTMN
“Woodies” and “Hoodies” are the nicknames given to two of North America’s most secretive waterfowl species, Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. The inspiration for this article arose from recent sightings of the former on a wooded pond on the property where I currently reside.
Catching a glimpse of either is always a treat as they seldom tolerate the presence of humans. In addition to their reclusive tendencies, they both prefer the seclusion of heavily wooded wetlands such as swamps and slow-moving, tree-lined streams. They are both cavity nesters. And both males of each species are quite striking in appearance. That, for the most part, is where their similarities end.
The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa – “bride” or “spouse” being the closest translation I can find) is a year-round resident in most areas of the US. On the other hand, the Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus – “crested or hooded diver”) also found in much of the US, is a migratory species during Texas’ winter months.
The diet of Wood Ducks is mostly vegetarian with the occasional partaking of insects and other arthropods. Hooded Mergansers are predominantly carnivorous with much of their diet consisting of fish and amphibians. Plants make up only a small portion of their normal diet. Thus we compare not only their beaks but their leg placement on their bodies. Wood Ducks have the usual wider, thick bill designed for filtering water from vegetation. Hooded Mergansers, along with their relative, the Common Merganser, have a more narrow, serrated bill designed to close quickly under water and hold on to slippery prey. Leg placement on the body determines whether a duck is a dabbler or a diver. Can you guess which is which? Dabblers, such as Wood Ducks, have leg placement in the middle of their bodies. They simply paddle around on the surface collecting plant life and insects. This placement of the legs allows for good balance on land. Divers, such as Hooded Mergansers have leg placement near the rear of their bodies. This allows for pushing their bodies completely underwater to catch submerged prey. As you can deduce, this placement makes them a bit awkward on land. They are seldom found traversing far from water. Also, dabbling ducks tend to sit high in the water, while divers sit low.
Although they are both cavity nesters, Hoodies produce only one clutch per year while Wood Ducks can produce two. The number of eggs is approximately the same at an average of twelve. However, surveyed Wood Duck nests have consisted of as many as 30 eggs! This was discovered to be due to the practice of “egg dumping”. This term refers to females that will lay eggs in other occupied nests, shirking their motherly duties.
In the Spring, we say goodbye to the Mergansers and other migratory waterfowl but we can enjoy watching wood ducks all year long (if we are vewwy, vewwy quiet). I encourage you to get out and observe them all this winter season. We are fortunate enough to be able to easily identify each species as males are adorned in their full breeding plumage with only a few species exhibiting almost identical markings. Their antics are also quite entertaining, just like watching kids on a playground. Happy “hunting”!
–All About Birds
–National Audubon Society