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Smew

Mergellus albellus

Not yet photographed by the community

Pied 'cracked ice' pattern on male; winter visitor to reservoirs.

Species Profile

Amber List (winter visitor; vulnerable to water pollution and habitat loss on breeding grounds in northern Europe)

Lifespan: 10–15 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 38–44 cm, wingspan 59–67 cm; 550–650 g
Habitat: Winter visitor favouring freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and coastal estuaries where it dives for small fish in clear, shallow waters.
UK Distribution: Winter visitor (October to March) found throughout the UK, with larger concentrations in southern England and along coastal regions; scarce breeder in Scotland.
Diet: Primarily small fish including minnows, sticklebacks, and fry; also aquatic insects and crustaceans.
Prey: Small fish (minnows, sticklebacks, perch fry), aquatic insects, and crustaceans
Predators: Foxes, mink, and raptors such as peregrines and white-tailed eagles; chicks vulnerable to gulls and crows.
Mating Season: April to June
Breeding: Clutch of 8–9 eggs, incubation period 24–26 days, single brood; nests in tree cavities or dense vegetation near water.
Behaviour: Highly skilled diver that pursues prey underwater using feet for propulsion. Males display distinctive white plumage with dark markings; females greyer with chestnut crown. Often seen in small groups or loose flocks on open water.

Did You Know?

•The male Smew's striking black-and-white plumage earned it the nickname 'white nun' among British birdwatchers.
•Smews are the smallest diving duck species in the UK, making them agile underwater hunters.
•The species breeds in boreal wetlands across northern Europe and Asia, with British breeding records extremely rare.
•Unlike many ducks, Smews prefer clear, unpolluted water where they can spot prey while diving.
•During severe winters, Smew numbers in the UK can increase dramatically as continental populations flee frozen waters.

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