Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Mergus merganser

Size:  Grow to around 65cm in length

Distribution:  Found throughout the UK in winter.  In summer mainly in Scotland Wales and the west of England

Months seen:  All year round

Habitat:  Rivers, but in winter they can be found on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits

Food:  Fish

Special features:  The head of the male Goosander is dark green, and the body is a creamy white, with a dark line along the back.  The female has a rusty red-brown coloured head and the body is light grey with large white patches on the wings.  Goosanders have serrated edges along their narrow, hook-tipped orange-red coloured bills.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Wildfowl Section
• UK Safari Birds Section
• Identify other wildlife
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