Bird field guide · Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Photographing the Hooded Merganser

How to photograph the Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February, March, November and December).

30–160 cm1/2000–1/3200 s
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Photo: © Chris O'Donoghue, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Chris O'Donoghue via iNaturalist
30–160 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/640 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
78,299
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/640 s
Shutter (action)1/2000–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 95 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)62 mm93 mm41 mm31 mm
10 m (33 ft)124 mm186 mm82 mm62 mm
15 m (49 ft)185 mm279 mm124 mm93 mm
20 m (66 ft)247 mm372 mm165 mm124 mm
30 m (98 ft)371 mm558 mm247 mm185 mm
50 m (164 ft)618 mm930 mm412 mm309 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 16% Jan Feb: 13% Feb Mar: 15% Mar Apr: 10% Apr May: 5% May Jun: 3% Jun Jul: 3% Jul Aug: 2% Aug Sep: 3% Sep Oct: 4% Oct Nov: 13% Nov Dec: 14% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February, March, November and December.

About the Hooded Merganser#

The hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a species of small duck. It is the only extant species in the genus Lophodytes. The genus name derives from the Greek language: lophos meaning 'crest', and dutes meaning diver.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Winter is peak season for colourful drakes.
  • Morning side-light reveals iridescent head colours.
  • Get low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.
  • Sightings peak in January, February, March, November and December, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Ducks, Geese, and Swans#

Mallard MallardAnas platyrhynchos Canada Goose Canada GooseBranta canadensis Wood DuckAix sponsa Bufflehead BuffleheadBucephala albeola Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata Common Merganser Common MerganserMergus merganser American Wigeon American WigeonMareca americana Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Hooded Merganser?

At about 95 cm long, a hooded merganser fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 124 mm, or at 20 m with 247 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Hooded Merganser?

1/640 s when it's still; 1/2000–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Hooded Merganser?

Observations in North America peak in January, February, March, November and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources