Although formerly quite numerous these birds now are rare owing to their unsuspicious habits. They are far less wary than the two other members of the genus, dropping in for a social visit among decoys — and being dropt by the gunner! They are as adept as Wood Ducks in threading tree lanes and equally as swift awing, preferring quiet ponds or streams, seldom seeking salt water except during migration. They are about the size of Wood Ducks and apt to be mistaken in flight for their spectacular relative.
Thru evergreens I glimpsed what I thot was someone flashing a mirror from the far side of a Maine pond. Closer approach revealed two males courting a female and the heliograph signals came from sunlight flashing on their white crests as they snapped them open.
The females are said to carry the youngsters sometimes from nest to water. Frogs, water insects and roots form the main portion of their food.
Males require about two and one half years to attain full plumage while females accomplish a complete dress in eighteen months.
North America. Rare in eastern part of its range.