What is the difference between a Goosander and an Merganser?

The female merganser is very similar to the female goosander, both are dove grey. Despite this, it is still possible to tell the two apart. Female goosanders head colour abruptly finishes half way down its neck, whereas the mergansers head colour fades out gradually. The males are simpler to tell apart.

Is a Goosander a duck?

These handsome diving ducks are a member of the sawbill family, so called because of their long, serrated bills, used for catching fish. A largely freshwater bird, the goosander first bred in the UK in 1871.

How do you identify a merganser?

Adult males are crisply patterned with gleaming white bodies and dark, iridescent-green heads for most of the year. The back is black and the bill red. Females and immatures are gray-bodied with a white chest and rusty-cinnamon heads.

What sound does a Goosander make?

Common Mergansers are usually silent, but females make a high, rapid cro cro cro to call ducklings from the nest, and give harsh gruk calls when threatened by predators. Males give hoarse calls when alarmed and bell-like or twanging calls during courtship.

How can you tell the difference between a merganser and a goosander?

This ‘Mohican’ is one of the best ways of distinguishing the two birds. The female merganser is very similar to the female goosander, both are dove grey. Despite this, it is still possible to tell the two apart. Female goosanders head colour abruptly finishes half way down its neck, whereas the mergansers head colour fades out gradually.

Where does the common merganser live in the world?

Common merganser. The common merganser (North American) or goosander (Eurasian) ( Mergus merganser) is a large duck of rivers and lakes in forested areas of Europe, northern and central Asia, and North America . The common merganser eats fish and nests in holes in trees.

What kind of fish does the common merganser eat?

The common merganser (North American) or goosander (Eurasian) ( Mergus merganser) is a large seaduck of rivers and lakes in forested areas of Europe, the northern and central Palearctic, and North America . The common merganser eats fish and nests in holes in trees.

What kind of Bill does a common merganser have?

Their bills are straight and narrow, unlike the wide, flat bill of a “typical” duck. Females have shaggy crests on the backs of their heads. Smaller than a Canada Goose; slightly larger than a Mallard. Adult males are crisply patterned with gleaming white bodies and dark, iridescent-green heads. The back is black and the bill red.