Birds of the World

Anatidae : Swans, Geese & Ducks

Goosander

Mergus merganser

Known as Common Merganser in North America

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - December 2017

Goosanders are distributed throughout most of the northern Holarctic region where they can be mostly found on rivers and wooded freshwater lakes.

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - December 2017

They are a fairly recent colonist of Britain, first arriving in Scotland in the mid-nineteenth century.  Since then they have spread throughout Scotland and into northern England, the midlands and Wales.

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - December 2017

In winter, they altitudinally migrate from their upland breeding rivers to lower lying areas. Also some of the Scottish breeding birds move south into England where the numbers are supplemented by Baltic and Scandinavian birds.

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - December 2017

Like all other "sawbills", Goosanders are mostly piscivorous, mainly preying on eels and small fish, which they often catch after prolonged chases under water.  In the early spring, during the spawning season, frogs and toads are their favourite prey.

male - Nottinghamshire, England - December 2017

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - February 2010

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - February 2010

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - February 2010

Male - Nottinghamshire, England - February 2010

Female - Nottinghamshire, England - February 2010