Psilos Wildfowl Photography |
Goosander (Mergus merganser) |
A very attractive member of the Sawbill
family (so named because of its serrated bill) This is a diving duck
that feeds on a diet of mainly fish. A resident bird it now breeds in
many areas of Scotland, England and Wales. This bird breeds in holes
in trees and can be found in upland areas beside fast flowing streams,
rivers, lakes and lochs. In the winter they move to more sheltered areas
such as lakes, gravel pits and reservoirs. They are easily one of my
favourite species of duck. Wild goosanders are very wary birds and are
difficult to get close to. The pair below were photographed at Moses
Gate Country park, Bolton, January 2006. The male has the dark head,
the female brown. |
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Goosanders are members of the sawbill family.
The photo below shows why. |
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The photo below shows the male in two different
stages of plumage. The one on the right still has most of his breeding
plumage whereas the bird on the left has moulted and is now in his eclipse
plumage. He looks similar to the female but can be recognised from the
whiter wings and from the odd black feathers that still show on his
back and head. |
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Male showing eclipse plumage |
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