Interest Merganser Facts:

Hooded mergansers can fly at speeds approaching 80 kph (50 mph).

These birds are able to catch fish by direct underwater pursuit, remaining submerged for up to 2 minutes. They resurface to swallow their prey, turning it around so it is swallowed headfirst. This method avoids injury from the spiny fins of some types of fish.

Some refer to hooded mergansers as frog ducks because of the long guttural call that can be heard a half mile away.

Ducklings in the water may gather together in a tight compact group resembling a swimming muskrat. This instinctive behavior may deceive aerial predators like sharp-shinned hawks.

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