Migrating Hooded Merganser Ducks

This small flock of Hooded Merganser Ducks arrived at Lake Paradise in The Villages, FL, earlier last week.  These are migrating ducks who are late Fall and Winter visitors to Florida.  The male or drake duck is the more colorful of the pair.  These ducks have a fold or hood of skin and feathers that the bird raises if alarmed or aroused.  That is why the ducks are named the way they are.

Hooded Mergansers are diving ducks that eat fish, frogs, larger tadpoles, baby alligators and larger aquatic insects.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!