Smew
Mergellus albellus
Generally uncommon and fairly local small diving duck. Frequents lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Shy, often found alone or in small groups; frequently kept in European waterfowl collections. Both sexes have bushy crest. Striking male mostly white with black face mask and fine black lines on sides of breast and flanks. Female has dark rusty brown head with big white throat and cheek patch. In flight appears strikingly black-and-white.
Identification
The drake smew, with its 'cracked ice' or 'panda' appearance, is unmistakable, and looks very black-and-white in flight. The females and immature males are grey birds with chestnut foreheads and crowns, and can be confused at a distance with the ruddy duck; they are often known as "redhead" smew. It has oval white wing-patches in flight. The smew's bill has a hooked tip and serrated edges, which help it catch fish when it dives for them.<p>The smew is 38–44 cm (15–17 in) long, with a wingspan of 56–69 cm, and a weight 450–650 g.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mergellus albellus
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Mergellus
Range and habitat
This species breeds in the northern taiga of Europe and the Palearctic. It needs trees for breeding. The smew lives on fish-rich lakes and slow rivers. As a migrant, it leaves its breeding areas and winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes of the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, northern Germany and the Low Countries, with a small number reaching Great Britain (for example, at Dungeness), mostly at regular sites. Vagrants have been recorded in North America. On lakes it prefers areas around the edges, often under small trees. The smew breeds in May and lays 7–11 cream-colored eggs, incubated by the female for 26–28 days. Ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching and learn to fly within about 10 weeks.<p>It nests in tree holes, such as old woodpecker nests. It is a shy bird and flushes easily when disturbed.<p>The smew is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. It is not considered threatened on the IUCN Red List, though its population is decreasing.
- Breeding range
- PAL : subarctic from n Scandinavia to Kamchatka (se Russia)
- Non-breeding range
- to w, c, se Europe, c Asia, Japan, Korean Pen. and se China
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Naga Wren-Babbler
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Chestnut-crested Cotinga
Ampelion rufaxilla
Striking and scarce, this cotinga is found atop the canopy in the subtropical and temperate zone in the Andes. Like most cotingas, it is plump with a relatively short bill and tail. Key features include its mostly orange throat and neck and bold dark streaks on a pale yellowish belly. Also note the red eye and small chestnut shoulder patch. The namesake chestnut crest is usually laid flat down the nape, but is occasionally raised into a spectacular splayed bouquet of feathers. Occurs at lower elevations and typically in more intact forest than Red-crested Cotinga. Usually found singly or in pairs.
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