White Loon with black head

[lobstadanca]

We saw a pair of loons in front of our home this past weekend. One was the typical black-colored loon, but the other was pure white with a black head. Has anyone seen them too? I've never seen a white loon. Is it the male or female?

[hilltopper]

Sounds like you saw a common merganser.

[lobstadanca]

I checked images of the common merganser and I'm sure you're right. I've seen mergansers, but never a white one with the black hood. I'm attaching a picture which shows a green hood. I really thought the mate was a loon... time for me to go to the eye doctor.

[tis]

Don't feel bad, you are not the first person to mistake a merganser for a loon. They are quite a bit smaller too when you look closely.

[fatlazyless]

The ducks seem to just love cheez-its, www.cheezit.com, in the original style...probably for the real cheese and slightly salty flavor....good way to turn an individual Canada goose, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_goose) , loon, mallard, or merganser into a quasi-moto waterfront pet that will hang by your dock for maybe an hour or so, waiting for more cheez-its. Plus, cheez-its can be tossed just like a Frisbee for about 20-yards with a little practice....and making them easier for the ducks to eat ..... cheez-its will float ... and are easy to spot on the water's surface because they are bright orange-red.