Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus/(Mergus cucullatus)
The Hooded Merganser is native to North America, with northerly-breeding birds migrating to southern USA in winter.
It is a rare transatlantic vagrant in UK.
Above is the drake in breeding plumage with his amazing crest up which makes his head in side-view a white dome bordered in black;
head-on, he has a girl's white wig and a black top-knot.
More of the amazing crest.
Above is the drake with his crest down
and raised again.
The drake has a yellow eye
The tail
Hooded Merganser pair
The female Hooded Merganser has a grey-brown body and ginger "hair". Her eye is reddish brown and bill edged with yellow.
She can also raise her crest
They nest in trees in woodland
Immature Merganser
The drake's non-breeding (eclipse) plumage is similar to the female plumage; above photos show him on the turn between outfits.
The Fir Cone and the Hood