The goosander is a large sawbill duck that breeds along fast-flowing rivers and lochs, with welfare affected by water quality, persecution, and food availability.
Goosander welfare is complicated by ongoing conflict with fisheries interests. Despite evidence that their impact on recreational fish populations is minimal compared to other factors, goosanders have historically been shot under license at angling rivers. Legal protection and available evidence both support conservation over persecution. The species requires clean, fish-rich rivers with suitable nesting trees. American mink predation of eggs and ducklings affects breeding success on some river systems. Water quality determines fish abundance that in turn affects goosander welfare. The impressive duckling jump from high nest boxes to water shortly after hatching is a spectacular natural behavior that highlights the species' remarkable ecology.