The Goosander is distributed across the temperate and sub-arctic zones of the northern hemisphere. It tends to breed further north and migrate southwards in the winter but some populations, such as the British one, are largely sedentary.

The male is mainly white and this can have a pinkish tinge in winter and early spring. Its head looks black at a distance but is in fact a dark glossy green and it has a mane-like crest. The bill is long, narrow and red with a black strip along the top. It is also serrated to grip slippery fish and this gives rise to the designation of "sawbill".

Following the breeding season the male Goosander moults and looks very similar to the female during this process.