Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus

"The hooded merganser ... also occurs irregularly in winter, primarily in the northern parts of the state ... it inhabits wooded ponds and river bottoms, much in the manner of the wood duck [which are on the left]."

"Uncommon to common migrant and winter resident throughout most of the state." (Lockwood & Freeman, Handbook of Texas Birds, p. 13.)

A close up.

Photo taken with a Nikon D80 using a Nikon 180mm, f/2.8 lens.

February 13, 2009.