This artist signed hand-carved and hand-painted solid wood decoy represents a Hooded Merganser drake, identified by its distinctive oversized, fan-shaped white crest with a black border. This Big Sky Carvers decoy features the striking plumage characteristic of the species, including a black head and back, chestnut (brown) flanks, and white vertical bars on the breast. The slender, pointed black bill and yellow eyes are also key identifying features of this North American diving duck. The hand signature of Cherie Rowan indicates the specific artist responsible for the intricate painting or carving of this piece.