Goosander

Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Goosander, provided by xeno-canto contributors.

This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

UK Birds of Conservation Concern	Green listed
Species of European Conservation Concern	Least Concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)	Least Concern
Schedule 1 license required (to disturb)	No
Birds Directive Annex 1	No
Listed on the Annexes of	WBD(II*), Bern(III), Bonn(II), AEWA

Goosanders were first discovered to have colonised the UK in Perthshire in 1871, and spread from Scotland into northern England in the 1940s (Holloway 1996). Between the first two breeding atlases, the species expanded its range in northern England, and colonised Wales and southwest England. WBS samples became large enough for annual monitoring in 1980, and show sustained population increase, apart from a slight dip in the late 1990s. The BTO's two national surveys of sawbills demonstrated an average increase in population size of 3% per annum between 1987 and 1997 (Rehfisch et al. 1999). There has been considerable further range expansion since 1990 (Balmer et al. 2013). Reasons for the colonisation of the UK, and the subsequent range expansion and population increase, are unknown. The species' winter trend in Britain, comprising British breeders and continental visitors, rose steeply from the late 1960s and peaked in the mid 1990s, before falling back, and now stands at early 1990s levels (WeBS: Frost et al. 2020).

UK breeding population	No population change in UK (1995–2022)
UK winter population	-28% decrease (1996/97–2021/22)

Goosanders breed throughout Scotland, northern England, south to Derbyshire, Wales, the Marches and Devon. In winter, they occupy rivers and a wide range of freshwater bodies throughout Britain, as well as some western and northern estuaries. They are largely absent from upland areas in northern Scotland and from parts of southern and eastern England.

The winter range of the Goosander has increased by 87% since the 1981–84 Winter Atlas. Gains are apparent throughout and are particularly noticeable in Ireland, Wales and central and southern England.

Goosanders are present year-round, with higher reporting in winter when they can be seen at large waterbodies.

View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report

Maximum Age from Ringing	9 years 6 months 28 days (set in 1984)
Typical Lifespan	7 years with breeding typically at 2 year
Adult Survival	0.82

Feather measurements and photos on featherbase

Ring size	H
Field Codes	2-letter: GD | 5-letter code: GOOSA | Euring: 2230

For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name

Causes of change

There is little good evidence available regarding the drivers of the breeding population increase in this species in the UK.

Further information on causes of change

No further information is available.

Information about conservation actions

Goosander is currently increasing both its population and its range in the UK and hence specific conservation action is not currently required. The species breeds along rivers so the continuation of policies to maintain and improve water quality are likely to benefit this species. It is a hole nesting species and provision of nest boxes may therefore also help support the Goosander.

Conflict with anglers may become a problem should the population continue to increase. Therefore, appropriate discussions with anglers and other stakeholders may be required in the future to ensure policies are in place which ensure the ongoing conservation of the species.