One of the 2 mergansers on WAnimals
Birds · Anseriformes · Anatidae
Goosander
Mergus merganser
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
Its long, narrow bill has saw-like serrated edges — hence the name sawbill — a unique adaptation for gripping slippery fish. It nests in tree holes.
Weight
900 g – 2.1 kg
Size
58 cm – 72 cm
Lifespan
8 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Social structure
In pairs
Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- Its serrated bill is what earns it the English name of sawbill.
- Several females may share the same tree to breed, forming mixed broods of more than 40 ducklings.
- Its ducklings jump straight from the tree hole to the water or the ground after hatching.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - pneumatised bony skeleton (bird)
- Habitat & environment
- Clear rivers and lakes surrounded by woodland in Europe, Asia and North America, wintering on estuaries and large lakes
- Birth weight
- 46.2 grams
- Size at birth
- Precocial, able to jump from the tree hollow where it hatches straight into the water or onto the ground soon afterwards
- Sexual maturity
- 2 years
- Gestation / incubation
- 28-35 days
- Litter / clutch size
- 6 to 17 eggs per clutch
Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); NHPBS NatureWorks; Animal Diversity Web; BioDB; Wikipedia (Common merganser); Bird Database; Audubon Field Guide; Animalia.bio
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapBest time: From November to March on rivers, lakes and reservoirs in Europe and North America, when the winterers arrive from the north.
Where to watch it
Parques y spots de buceo donde se ha documentado esta especie — se muestran 10 de 86 documentados.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Goosander — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnus
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
Least ConcernMute Swan
Cygnus olor
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about goosander.
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