Hoodies attack Red-breasted

Yesterday I sat in a blind for four hours watching the migrating mergansers feeding and fighting.  What an experience.  There were about 40 Red-breasted mergansers feeding in an area and with them were six pair of Hooded mergansers.  They put on quite a show. 

One pair of Hoodies had staked out the area right by my blinds and it seemed like the best feeding area for the larger Red-breasted.

Here the male Hoody is showing off his crest as he tries to protect the area.

It seemed like his main job was to protect his would-be mate.  Any other bird that got too close was viciously attack.

After fishing, a male Red-breasted surfaced right by the female Hoody.  Not a good decision. 

When Mr. Hoody surfaced there was heck to pay.  With his bill wide open, he attack the larger bird.

Almost chasing him up on the bank right below my blind.

Later when a female Red-breasted got too close, it also was driven off by the angry boyfriend.

One time he went after both a female and male Red-breasted.  The female dove to get out of his way while the male peeked up for a breath before diving again.

As I was leaving, the master of the fishing hole, proudly displayed hoping the female will soon be ready for his advances.  But once she starts sitting on their eggs, he will be gone, pursuing other chicks or playful activities.  He will not be around to help with the children.

Four hours spent in Heaven in the wilds of Idaho.