Latin name

Mergus merganser

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

Upland rivers of N England, Scotland and Wales in summer. In winter they move to lakes, gravel pits and reservoirs, occasionally to sheltered estuaries.

When to see them

All year in breeding range, but only in winter across England south of the Humber.

What they eat

Fish

Population

Goosander (female)

• Colouring: Female
• Size: bigger than mallard
• Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey, cream/buff
• Beak colours: red/pink
• Beak length: long
• Beak thickness: long
• Beak shape: long
• Leg colour: orange, red
• Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

Goosander (male)

• Colouring: Male
• Size: bigger than mallard
• Feather colours: black, white, grey, cream/buff, green, pink/purple
• Beak colours: red/pink
• Beak length: long
• Beak thickness: long
• Beak shape: long
• Leg colour: orange, red
• Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

• 
  Red-breasted merganser