AnatidaeMergus

Goosander

Mergus merganser

58–72 cmVery Large
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
Has a crest

Breeds in Ladakh; winters mainly in N subcontinent. Male has dark green head and whitish breast and flanks (with variable pink wash). Shows extensive white patch on wing-coverts and secondaries in flight. Female, and eclipse/immature male, have chestnut head and upper neck with shaggy crest which contrasts with white throat and greyish neck. and show white secondaries in flight. Eclipse male has upperwing pattern like breeding male. Usually in small parties. forages in daytime, often fishing cooperatively.

Colour

WhiteGreenPinkChestnut
Average size
65 cm
Behaviour
Breeds in Ladakh, winters mainly in N subcontinent., Usually in small parties. forages in daytime, often fishing cooperatively.

About this bird

Breeds in Ladakh; winters mainly in N subcontinent. Male has dark green head and whitish breast and flanks (with variable pink wash). Shows extensive white patch on wing-coverts and secondaries in flight. Female, and eclipse/immature male, have chestnut head and upper neck with shaggy crest which contrasts with white throat and greyish neck. and show white secondaries in flight. Eclipse male has upperwing pattern like breeding male. Usually in small parties. forages in daytime, often fishing cooperatively.

Compare size with other birds

Every bird sits between two neighbours — bigger than one, smaller than the other. The sentences below are generated live from the database.

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Goosander is bigger than Satyr Tragopan but smaller than Black-throated Diver.