This male Hooded Merganser is making a “display” by raising its “hood.” For this image, I was able to pull my car up close to the Schuylkill River near the Norristown Dam. Using my car as a blind, I waited till this bird was not too far away. Then, ( I will concede) I played the unusual call of the male. That prompted this Merganser to raise its hood and lift its head back. I assume this is a display of dominance.
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
Location Norristown Dam in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania.
Gender Male
Age Adult
Activity Courtship Display/Mating
- Created Timestamp02/02/2019 11:00:59
- CameraCanon EOS 80D
- Aperture7.1
- CreditRonald L. Zigler
- CopyrightRonald L. Zigler
- Focal Length600
- Iso500
- Shutter Speed1/640
It’s interesting to see the hood so fully extended. Very nice picture of the Merganser.