Golden Eyes in Ontario Wetlands

Black, white, and that unmistakable yellow eye, hooded mergansers are small but striking ducks. In Ontario, populations of beavers and wood ducks have contributed to their growth. Beavers, in particular, play a key role by building ponds and wetlands that provide ideal nesting and feeding habitats for mergansers and other waterfowl. Wood ducks also create nesting opportunities by using tree cavities that mergansers may later occupy. By maintaining healthy, interconnected habitats, these species support each other and help sustain Ontario’s freshwater ecosystems. Observing them is a reminder of the importance of ethical wildlife stewardship and preserving habitats for generations to come. It’s all connected, and that’s why protecting these habitats matters.