Goosanders are large freshwater diving ducks with long, narrow, serrated red bills; part of the "Sawbill" family. The male breeding plumage is white with black back and (smooth) head with green sheen.

The female Goosander with grey body and red-brown untidy head is similar to but larger than the related female red-breasted merganser; the latter doesn't have a white chin like the Goosander.

Male in eclipse plumage looks like female

Goosander with Mallard drake