Goosander or Merganser (1 Viewer)

[rezMole]

At first, i thought it was a merganser, but as it was at Penning Flash near Wigan, in Lancs (which is fairly inland, and at a place where Goosanders are relatively common), i suspected it was more likely a Goosander.

I submitted the picture in my gallery, and someone else suggested it might be a merganser. Any comments?

 

[Gill Osborne]

I THNK that's a female Red-breasted Merganser...but if I'm wrong, in my defence, I AM extremely tired, suffering from toothache and have had two glasses of wine....so that's ME pi***d! LOL

GILL

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Judging by the amount of white showing in the wings, it is a young male; the bill shape says Goosander.

Andy.

 

[Rasmus Boegh]

As Andrew says, Goosander (Common Merganser). Either young male or eclipse.

 

[samuel walker]

doesn't seem to have the fully developed crest of a female redbreasted merg.
Sam

 

[Hotspur]

Bill shape wrong for R-B Merganser. Goosander for me, thicker, less upturned bill and a generally thicker set, less "dainty" bird. The crest i believe is incidental, especially as it is most likely a juvenile.

 

[Edward woodwood]

the sharp 'cut off' of the brown head is a very good feature - more gradual in RB Merg

Tim

 

[cavan wood]

the sharp 'cut off' of the brown head is a very good feature - more gradual in RB Merg

Tim

I agree. The distinct boundary between white breast and red throat rule out the R-B Merganser. It looks like the common merg, which apparently is called a goosander in your parts. As mentioned above, the bill is also thicker than R-B.
Scott

 

[hannu]

I would say that this bird is subad male Goosander; heavy size with big bill and figures in the back and head is suitable to Goosander.
Compare birds from follow links:

Goosander
http://www.tarsiger.com/images/masa/Mermer13.jpg

Red-breasted Merganser
http://www.tarsiger.com/images/late/merser2901.jpg

Hannu

 

[Ruby]

Hi,

Dead cert id feature is the bill... Goosander with a bit of a hook downwards at the end - RB Merganser slightly uptilted....

If you can't get that good a look, Goosander normally has a clean division between the dark head and pale neck/breast. RBM you usually just get to see a white collar.

 

[Krispo]

Goosander very common in Penn. Flash. Could it be a hybrid?

 

[Nutcracker]

Goosander very common in Penn. Flash. Could it be a hybrid?

Hi Kajrowe,

No, not a hybrid - an immature (first winter) male, still partly in juvenile plumage, but starting to get adult in patches

 

[Gill Osborne]

Whoops...outnumbered LOL Well..in my defense I WAS feeling a bit tipsy!
If I saw it in the field I'm sure I'd be a lot more positive about the bird's ID...especially as I see both species VERY regular around here!

GILL