© Photo by Richard Steel/2020VISION Goosander Mergus merganser The Goosander Duck is a member of a group known as the ‘sawbills’ after their long, narrow bills with saw-like ‘teeth’ which are good for gripping fish. © Photo by Derek Moore A long, streamlined bird, the Goosander is perfectly shaped for swimming after fish. Goosanders are gregarious birds, forming flocks of thousands of birds in some parts of Europe. How to Identify A white diving duck, the male Goosander has a dark green head, a black back and a long, red bill with a hook at the tip. The white sides and breast sometimes have a pink glow. The female is grey with a gingery or rufous brown head and a white throat. Where to Find Breeds on rivers in the north and west of Britain, winters on lakes and reservoirs. How People Can Help Goosanders are excellent at fishing, but their diet, which includes Salmon and Trout, has brought them into conflict with fishermen making a living. The Wildlife Trusts work closely with fishermen, farmers, landowners and developers to ensure that our wildlife is both protected and provides a benefit to local people. Careful habitat management on local nature reserves is one way in which local Trusts are helping to provide areas where birds like the Goosander can thrive and avoid conflict. By volunteering for your local Trust you can help too, and you’ll make new friends and learn new skills along the way. Did you know? Goosander nest in holes in trees along the riverbank. They first bred in Britain in 1871, building up numbers in Scotland and moving south to northern England and Wales. It is now found in the South West too. Key FactsLength: 57-69cmWingspan: 90cmWeight: 1.3-1.7kgAverage Lifespan: 7 years Donate Donate to help support Goosander and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Redwing Birds Robin Birds Rook Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Starling Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whitethroat Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Wren Birds