The common merganser (North American) or goosander (Eurasian) (Mergus merganser) is a large sea duck of rivers and lakes in forested areas of Europe, Asia, and North America. The common merganser eats mainly fish.

The streamlined goosander is a handsome bird and a great fisher - its long, serrated bill helps it to catch and hold its slippery fish prey. It nests in riverbank trees, but can be seen on lakes and reservoirs in winter.

A largely freshwater bird, the Goosander first bred in the UK in 1871. It built up numbers in Scotland and, since 1970, it has spread across northern England into Wales, reaching south-west England. Its love of salmon and trout has brought it into conflict with fishermen.

Goosander. This species may be said to be a constant resident with us, as many individuals breed in the interior of the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Maine. When I first resided in Kentucky, some bred there also, although at the present day …

Goosanders are handsome diving ducks known for their long, serrated bills, ideal for catching fish. With a length of 58-66 cm and a wingspan of 82-97 cm, these birds are a remarkable sight. Male Goosanders boast a glossy green head and a striking blood-red beak.

Goosanders are cavity nesters, typically choosing tree holes or large nest boxes near water bodies. They lay 8 to 12 cream-coloured eggs in a nest lined with down feathers plucked from the female’s breast. In contrast, Red-Breasted Mergansers are ground nesters, creating their nests in sheltered locations close to water.

In Europe and Asia, Common Merganser is known by the common name Goosander. Male Goosander has a darker, blood-red bill, and in flight shows a pure white wing patch (North American male's wing patch is interrupted by a thin black bar).

This fish-eating duck is the typical merganser of freshwater lakes. Its flocks are usually small, but these may combine into big concentrations sometimes at large reservoirs. Common Mergansers living along rivers may spend hours resting on rocks …

The Goosander (Mergus merganser) is one of the UK’s most fascinating waterfowl species, known for its remarkable fishing abilities and striking appearance. These elegant diving ducks, part of the sawbill family, have a particularly interesting history in British waters, with their first recorded breeding taking place in 1871.

First colonising Scotland in c.1871, Goosanders have dramatically increased in numbers and range, occupying most river catchments in Scotland, Wales and Northern England.