The hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) and the common merganser (Mergus merganser) are two species of mergansers, which are fish-eating ducks. Both species are found in North America, but the hooded merganser is also found in parts of Europe and Asia.
The hooded merganser is a medium-sized duck with a distinctive crest on its head. The male has a black head and neck with a white crest, while the female has a brown head and neck with a smaller crest. Both sexes have a long, narrow bill with serrated edges that is used to catch fish. The common merganser is a larger duck with a more streamlined body. The male has a green head and neck with a black crest, while the female has a reddish-brown head and neck with a smaller crest. Both sexes have a long, narrow bill with serrated edges that is used to catch fish.