Have you ever seen this bird?

[BirdieBabi]

This bird, the Hooded Merganser, is the strangest looking bird I've ever seen. Male Hooded mergansers have a black and white hood that pops up when their in the water, and goes down when their flying. I think it is a beautiful bird.

http://content.ornith.cornell.edu/UEWebApp/images/brd_WLN_030904_100079_S.jpg

[pipp4]

i have seen pics but i havn't seen them in real life and they are gawjess

[Donna]

That is a strange looking bird, but interesting at that!

Isn't it amazing the variety of creatures on this earth? It keeps life interesting, doesn't it?

Thanks for sharing.

Donna

[Star]

Yes, I have seen those. Very interesting looking birds they are. They were at my local park, which is rated high in this area for bird watching. Have you ever heard the call of a COMMON LOON? That's scary, I thought there was an evil person behind me.

Anyway, I got some photos of those birds, but I
saved them to a disk and can't seem to find it. If I do I will post them.

[vicks080]

Whatever it is, it's ugly...No offence.

Edit: actually it's really pretty...just the gigantic head.

[Meghanxx4]

its kinda pretty and kinda ugly at the same time. its a very interesting looking bird. well actually its not really ugly its just really weird lookin somethin you dont see everyday. oh and no i havent seen it in real life but seen a few pics of them.

[softie]

Amazing how birds can show such strange, unique and mysterious features and characteristics!

And plus they can fly :P

[BirdieBabi]

I can't even imagine how someone could think the word ugly for them, even if it was changed. Though they look very strange, they have magnifecent color patterns and their feathers look so smooth and in place

[jenluvsbudgies]

haha thats a funny lookin bird!!

[redgirl]

Thats a lovely bird, very unusual its not like i would ever come across it in England. where do they eriginate from and where do they live now x

[BirdieBabi]

I believe they live in North America. :)

[vicks080]

Well, I still think it's ugly.

[Ruta<3]

Psha, beautiful.

There are alot of amazing Birds in New Zealand though.

[Bojinx]

Hooded Mergansers are pretty common in this area. I live right along the Atlantic Flyway. They are a popular sporting waterfowl. The've got nothing on a nice wooduck drake though, IMO.

http://www.gdphotography.com/images/1064.jpg

[A-n-M]

Both the Hooded Mergansers and WoodDuck Drakes are very beautiful birds, but by far IMO the most beautiful is the

Mandarin Duck

http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/anseriformes/images/canard.mandarin.bomo.1g.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/27/45599281_ca32c3e589.jpg

[Meghanxx4]

ohh wow the madrin duck is very interesting. Ive never seen anything like it. It looks really cool.

[A-n-M]

Once I saw this duck I said am in love. It's just so beautiful, it's colors are so vibrant and it's feathers are amazing. :)

[Bojinx]

Wow... good call on the mandarin duck. That this is completely exotic. Wood duck drakes are full of color, and that mandarin makes it look almost drab in comparison.

[Ruta<3]

Ooohh Pretty. :D This made me go look at all extinct birds...dont ask why. Alot of them are pretty funny but none would be fit to hold a candel for the Mandarin Duck. :P

[vicks080]

The Mandarin Duck is so pretty.

[A-n-M]

Sorry, but I couldn't resist. I just have to post a pic of the Mandarin out of the water.

http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/anseriformes/images/canard.mandarin.chla.3g.jpg

[Bojinx]

I still like the wood ducks (mostly because I can see them in my back yard ;) ) but those mandarin are truely impressive.

[Donna]

Wow, both the Hooded Mergansers and WoodDuck Drakes are BEAUTIFUL . . . I have never seen anything like them. I didn't know there were any birds with that much color. It must be fantastic, being able to see them near your home. What a blessing!

Thanks to both of you for sharing such stunning photos. I really enjoyed them.

Donna

[BUUZBEE]

my gosh, some very pretty birds!

[Amy]

It's strange! :P Very pretty. :D

[Neely]

I think because it's so different, it makes it very beautiful.

[Ruta<3]

I agree with NeelyandWillie. Its the stunning colors all on one bird that makes it breathtaking.