There are so many different kinds of winter birds at Herring Pond, you never know what you will see. (Click on blog link for other photo.)

“The Hooded Merganser is a small duck with a slender bill and a flamboyant oversized head. The hood can be raised or lowered, changing the shape of the head and the white patch.”

Fun Fact:
”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.”

Have you ever seen a Hooded Merganser? Beautiful bird, don’t you think?