Goosanders

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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.  The back is black, as are the wing tips.  The female has a tufted, rusty-brown coloured head.  The body is white underneath and light grey on the back, with darker grey wing tips.  Goosanders have serrated edges along their narrow, hook-tipped orange-red coloured bills.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Bird Section
• What's Out Now?