Duck Houses

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.

	Hooded Merganser House $69.95			Bufflehead House $48.95

	Common Merganser House $69.95			Goldeneye House $69.95

Coveside Bird House Features