Down to Dive

If you’re feeling the chill this winter, bundle up like a duck! Diving ducks like these Hooded Mergansers depend on their down, a fluffy inner layer of feathers, to keep them warm in the winter-cold waters around the Long Island Sound. Mergansers dive to catch fish, crustaceans, and insects to eat throughout the winter. They use oil produced in a gland near their tail to waterproof their outer feathers, keeping the inner down layer warm dry. Take a cue from the ducks and wrap up in a down coat to stay nice and toasty all winter!