Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus

The time we unexpectedly saw the Eurasian Wigeon at Tewinkle Park in Costa Mesa was also the time we had really close-up views of the Hooded Merganser. Not very often seen in Southern California, it was always a delight to find them on city parks. A couple of years later we also saw four females at the Almansor Park in Alhambra.

Hooded Mergansers are so named because of the elaborate crests praticularly those of the males. When fully erect, the white plumage framed by black feathers really stands out. The female's crest on the other hand is bright rufous in color and looks like it was permanently windblown. Hooded Mergansers are fairly common in NorthAmerica. They prefer freshwater ponds and rivers. They nest in tree cavities and the precocious ducklings jump from the tree to the ground just one day after they were hatched.

Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus - male
Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa, California
March 12, 2007

Canon 30D, 500mm+1.4X (700mm) on a tripod
ISO-400, 1/500, f7.1

Hooded Merganser - female

Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa, California

March 12, 2007

Canon 30D, 500mm+1.4X (700mm) on a tripod

ISO-400, 1/500, f8

Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope

Our main target in going to Tewinkle Park in Orange County was the Yellow-throated Warbler, a tiny songbird not usually found in Southern California. The skies were overcast and did not bode well for our quest. The very first bird we saw was a duck with a red head so I triumphantly declared to my wife as "Redhead!" Getting closer, I noticed the orangey spot on its forehead. "Make that Eurasian Wigeon" I sheepishly told Cynthia. Actually, that should be a very good reason to celebrate inasmuch as this duck is also considered a rarity in the US.

Eurasian Wigeon, as the name implies, are very common in Europe and Northern Asia. In recent years they have increased in numbers along both Eastern and Western coasts of North America. It had been known to hybridize with less colorful American Wigeon. They are usually found in shallow ponds (such as the one at Tewinkle Park) feeding on pond weeds, aquatic plants and grass.

Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope
Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa, California
March 10, 2007

Canon 30D, 500+1.4X (700mm) on a tripod
ISO-400, 1/800, f10

In comparison, the American Wigeon, which is very common in North America, seems drabber but still  has a beauty of its own. This pair was photographed in a city park.

American Wigeon - Anas americana
Almansor Park, Alhambra, California
March 15, 2005

Canon EOS Digital Rebel, 300mm+1.4X (420mm) handheld
ISO-200, 1/500, f8