Common Merganser

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Geneva, Switzerland • June • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Merganser
Latin: Mergus merganser
Other: Goosander (UK) • Harle Bièvre, Grand Harle (Fr) • Gänsesäger (De) • Smergo comune (It)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks, Mergansers
Range: Widespread North America, Eurasia
SImilar: Red-breasted Merganser

The Goosander, or Common Merganser, is found in northern parts of the world - its reach does not extend down to the Côte d'Azur, however. These Goosanders were photographed by Lake Geneva.

The male, above, has dark upperparts, and light underparts. Females and juveniles have reddish heads and greyish bodies. Juveniles have a white line below the eye.







A male Goosander below.


A Goosander duckling below.