Crayfish are a favorite food of Hooded Mergansers, but they're not easily consumed. A certain amount of preparation is required. See the photos below to see how this hoodie prepares his meal.

Here's a Hooded Merganser with a freshly-caught crayfish:

A Hooded Merganser with a freshly-caught crayfish.

The crayfish is still grasping a twig, in a futile attempt to prevent being carried off:

The crayfish is still grasping a twig, in a futile attempt to prevent being carried off.

Now ... What do do?

Now ... What do do?

The plan of attack is first to get the pincers out of the way ...

The plan of attack is first to get the pincers out of the way ...

Get a good grip on the pincer:

Get a good grip on the pincer ...

Give it a little shake:

... give it a little shake ...

Give it bigger shake:

... give it bigger shake ...

Then a violent shake ... and the pincer begins to break free from the body:

... then a violent shake ... and the pincer begins to break free from the body.

Success!  Another pincer bites the dust:

Success! Another pincer bites the dust.

Now on to the legs ... Try that shaking approach again:

Now on to the legs ... Try that shaking approach again.

Two legs gone:

Two legs gone ...

Another leg or two break loose:

Another leg or two break loose.

Once the appendages are removed, it's meal time! One swallow is all it takes:

Once the appendages are removed .... meal time! One swallow is all it takes.