  
Hooded Mergansers are the only
merganser that breeds and winters exclusively in North America.
In the past, they were found throughout the continent, including
mountainous areas, wherever suitable habitats existed. Today,
they are most common in the Great Lakes region and eastern Canada
but are also found in the Pacific Northwest. The habitat
preferences of Hooded Mergansers are very similar to those of
Wood Ducks. They like quiet, shallow, clear-water pools that have
sandy or cobblestoned bottoms. They prefer ponds that are near or
surrounded by deciduous woods: river bottomlands, small forest
pools, millponds, swamps and beaver ponds. Unlike Wood Ducks,
Hooded Mergansers have a difficult time finding food in turbulent
water, so calm, clear water is highest on their list of habitat
requirements. Hooded Mergansers are not likely to nest on large
lakes.
Buffleheads live by lakes, rivers and bays. Most breed in the
northwestern part of North America. As winter nears, Buffleheads
migrate to coastal water on the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific
coasts. Buffleheads travel to breeding grounds in Alaska and
western Canada in February, March and April. They nest in tree
cavities, especially old flicker holes. The female returns every
year to the area of her birth and lays one egg each morning for
six to 11 days, some time between mid-April and May.
The Common Merganser prefers to breed in ponds associated with
upper portions of rivers in forested regions, and clear,
freshwater lakes with forested shorelines. It winters as far
north as open inland waters are available. The Common Merganser
generally nests in cavities in hollow trees near water, but also
in dark recesses, on the ground or in nest boxes. The height of
the tree cavity and species of tree are unimportant, but the
number of suitable cavities available is definitely limited.
Common Goldeneyes breed across the forested areas of Canada,
Minnesota, Michigan, Alaska, and the northeastern United States.
They are most abundant among lakes of the Canadian boreal
forests, especially where lakes or deep marshes have substantial
invertebrate populations. They are cavity nesters and have a
strong homing tendency, often using the same cavity in successive
years. Nests are usually located near a pond, lake, or river, but
may be found in woodlands up to a mile from water. Female common
goldeneyes nest in natural tree cavities, abandoned woodpecker
holes or nest boxes.
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