Smews are the smallest merganser ducks
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Smews
Smew Väikekoskel Mergellus albellus
Smews don’t nest in Estonia (but quite commonly in Finland); they are passing migrants and not particularly numerous winterers. We will introduce them even so, because they are seen about.
Smews are stocky birds; if they should be compared to other waterfowl in size, then perhaps to goldeneyes. Their flight image is quick, slight, and one could even say elegant. The male probably has the whitest plumage in the duck family, to whom they belong. Near the beak and eyes are small black spots and longer streaks running towards the body. Swimming smews of both sexes have the head feathers slightly raised. Beaks are mostly grey as well as feet.
The crown and back of the neck of females are dark brown, neck feathers sparkling white, back plumage brownish and body greyish – similar to black scoter colouring, but quite different with respect to body shape.
On diving smews feed on fish as well as the sea bottom fauna.
Smew observations: LINK
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