Hooded Merganser Party, photo by Adore707.

While these birds are partying*, you probably won’t have to shout at them to keep it down. The All About Birds entry for Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) says that they are silent except in courtship when male gives a deep rolling frog-like sound. Their wings do produce a loud whistling in flight which you can hear under “Sounds” at the link above.

This small fish-eating duck frequents wooded ponds and nests in holes in trees. More fun facts:

The Hooded Merganser is the second-smallest of the six living species of mergansers (only the Smew of Eurasia is smaller) and is the only one restricted to North America.

Although up to 44 Hooded Merganser eggs have been found in one nest, one female probably does not lay more than about 13. Larger clutches result when more than one female lays eggs in a nest.

The Hooded Merganser finds its prey underwater by sight. The merganser can actually change the refractive properties of its eyes to enhance its underwater vision. In addition, the nictitating membrane (third eyelid) is very transparent and probably acts to protect the eye during swimming, just like a pair of goggles.

For more, including photos, see the UM Animal Diversity Web entry for Lophodytes cucullatus (hooded merganser) and Wikipedia’s Hooded Merganser page. If you haven’t had your fill of ducks, there’s always the ever-growing Michigan in Pictures Duckie Gallery.

See this bigger in Eli’s Birds slideshow (view the set).

* Three boys and one girl? I’ve been to parties like that…