Hooded Merganser

Description: 16-19" A small duck with a slender pointed bill, male has white fan-shaped black-bordered crest, blackish body, rusty flanks, and white breast, and two black stripes down side, female is dull gray-brown. both sexes show white wing patch in flight	Habitat: Uncommon. Breeds on secluded small lakes, ponds, swamps and fast-flowing streams and rivers in wooded areas. In winter, found on large lakes, rivers, coastal brackish lagoons and estuaries, very rarely on salt water. .
Nesting: 8 to 12 white eggs in a down-lined cup placed in a natural tree cavity or hollow log	Range: breeds from Alaska, Canada southward to Oregon, and Nova Scotia south to Arkansas, winters near coasts and Florida
Voice: Hoarse grunts and chatters	Diet: Mostly fish, but also many crustaceans, insects, some lower vertebrates and mollusks.

Notes: Flight is swift and silent. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, Female performs distraction display. Very fast flier.

When present in Oklahoma: primarily in winter, mostly seen in southern portion of the state