The character of a Goosander

Oh my word, the sun is shining, and how uplifting that is. I spent some time watching a pair of Goosanders on the Union Canal (route 75) - I've noticed them a few times as I scurried along in the recent rains and winds, giving them barely a glance, but today I had a chance to take them in. I had been admiring the sleek fawn mohican of the female, so was amused to see that she was described in one of my bird books with the simple 'Mane unkempt'. A bit judgy, no? But I do quite like when bird books anthropomorphise a species, rather than stick to plain plumage or distribution facts. The very lovely 'Birds By Character' book, written 30 years ago, asks its reader to "Forget for a moment its field marks and colours, and look afresh at the bird's shape, behaviour and essential character". It goes on to describe various species as 'peculiar', 'loose', 'swaggering' or 'gawky'. For the Goosander..."Large, cigar-shaped, weighty. Gorgeous male. Harsh expression. Flight quick & direct with blob head and neck outstretched." I think I'd rather have an unkempt mane than a blob head, but I'll look out for both next time I pass them.