Goosander - Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

Scarce & local breeder in South West, Wales & Northern England with 2,600 pairs.

In America they are known as Common Mergansers.

Males in Breeding Plumage are easily distinguished, the body white with a variable salmon-pink tinge, the head black with an iridescent green sheen, the rump and tail grey, and the wings largely white on the inner half, black on the outer half.

 Females and Males in "eclipse"are largely grey, with a reddish-brown head, white chin, and white secondary feathers on the wing. 

Juveniles are similar to adult females but also show a short black-edged white stripe between the eye and bill. 

The bill and legs are red to brownish-red, brightest on adult males, dullest on Juveniles.