I like my Mergansers how I like my sweatshirts, Hooded

Waterfowl are truly amazing birds.  They are tough, fast, and adaptable.  Its hard and almost insane to say that anyone one group is preferred to almost any other, but the waterfowl hold a special place in my heart.  This is namely because as I learning to bird, I walked the lakes near my home.  These were home to all sort of waterfowl throughout the year.  Wood Ducks, Common Mergansers, Pied-Billed Grebes, Hooded Mergansers, Mute Swans, Gadwall, Mallards, and more!

As I was learning to identify birds, waterfowl were my loyal companions.  They weren't as flighty as a hummingbird or a kinglet which made working through the ID book easy and a great learning experience.  This made one very appreciative learner and life-long lover of waterfowl.  PBS recently made a documentary about the wonders of waterfowl and I've included the link below.

My question to you all out there is, what is your favorite waterfowl?  Post your answers below and enjoy some pictures of the Hooded Mergansers!

Male and Female Hoodie

Various states of Hooded Merganser

A Hooded Merganser landing in the water

Enjoy PBS Nature's Original DUCKumentary - Link Here