Goosander

Mergus merganser (Linnaeus, 1758)

		male female
2020-01-17 Chui valley, Ozernoe. 2019-12-05 Ozernoe, Chui valley	© Irina Romanovskaia © Irina Romanovskaia

Biology

Quite common breeding migrant. Inhabits lakes and rivers where fish are plentiful, both on steppe and in mountains to 1500-2000 m. Appears early before ice breaks in mid February or early March, but at Markakol lake sometimes as late as end of April or early May; migration finished by mid – end April. Birds fly singly, in pairs or in small flocks. Breed in separate pairs. Nest is built from dry grass lined with plenty of down near water, in tree holes, in cliffs between stones or on ground under bushes. Clutches of 8-15, usually 8-9 eggs in May – first half June. Female incubates about 32 days. Juveniles hatch as early as June, but mainly in first half of July. Sometimes several broods join with one female. Autumn migration is late; end September – October and continues until water freezes usually in November – mid December.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999.