What is a Smew?

A Smew is a species of duck that inhabits regions of Europe and Asia. The bird is known for its distinctive appearance — especially the males — and is often seen on lakes, ponds, and rivers. A Smew needs trees in order to breed; during the summer months, it will usually inhabit small holes in trees. The species is not on the endangered list and is thought to be of “Least Concern" by international conservation groups.

Smews are small duck-like birds. Most males won’t grow longer than 17.5 inches (44.4 cm), while females are several inches smaller. The bill is thick and pointed, with a jagged edge to help the bird keep hold of its prey. Due to its white coloring, Smews are sometimes said to have a “cracked ice” appearance especially while flying.

Male Smews are very easy to recognize, as the entire body is white aside from narrow, thin patches of black. These black patches often run along the length of the body and may appear around the eyes. Females are less straightforward to differentiate from other species. The female body is grey, and the bird will usually have a red or brown head and white wings. An easily recognizable feature is the large patch of white located just behind the eyes.

The Smew is generally found in China, Russia, Japan, and Central Europe. Sometimes the birds are seen in Great Britain, although they are more likely to migrate to Germany and other nearby countries. Smew birds have, on occasion, been sighted in the U.S. in the New York area.

The birds typically live in freshwater areas such as ponds. During the summer months, the birds are more likely to be found nesting in trees near slow rivers and other bodies of water, while in the winter they find sheltered coastlines or lakes. To breed, a Smew nests in trees, and the species will lay up to nine eggs in one season. Nests are often found in old woodpecker holes because these are the perfect size. Breeding typically takes place in the months of May and June.

As a species, the Smew has been around for approximately two million years. The earliest fossils have been located in England dating back to the Pleistocene era. Fossils from similar species, dating back to a much earlier age, have been discovered. The Smew is not considered to be in danger of extinction at this time.

A Smew is a small duck species, Mergellus albellus, known for its striking appearance. Males have a crisp black and white plumage with a distinctive cracked-ice pattern and a black mask, while females are gray with a chestnut head. They are part of the sawbill family, so named for their long, narrow bills with serrated edges used for catching fish.

Smews are migratory birds that breed in the taiga forests of northern Eurasia, near freshwater lakes and rivers. In winter, they migrate to sheltered coastal waters, estuaries, and inland lakes of Eastern and Western Europe, with some reaching as far as China and Korea. Their habitat choice is influenced by the availability of fish and nesting cavities.

The Smew's diet primarily consists of small fish, which they catch with their specialized serrated bill. They are adept divers, using their agility underwater to pursue prey. Additionally, they may consume aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, and occasionally vegetation, but fish make up the bulk of their diet, especially during the breeding season.

Smews breed in tree cavities, often those created by large woodpeckers or naturally occurring in old trees. The female lays a clutch of 6 to 9 eggs, which she incubates alone. After hatching, the ducklings are precocial and can leave the nest within a day, relying on their mother for protection and guidance to food sources.

The Smew is currently classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not at immediate risk of extinction. However, their populations are affected by habitat loss due to logging and water pollution. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding and wintering habitats to ensure their continued survival.

Smews are known for their elaborate courtship displays, where the male performs a series of movements including head-bobbing, wing-flapping, and rearing up in the water to showcase his striking plumage to attract a mate. They are also solitary nesters, preferring to keep a distance from other ducks, and are highly territorial during the breeding season.