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[[Image:Smew.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by JJM<br />Photo taken: Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.]] | [[Image:Smew.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by JJM<br />Photo taken: Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.]] | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | The male is white with a black mask and a black back, the female is grey with a reddish-brown head and white cheek. In flight, it shows black and white wings. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Rare or scarce breeder in northern Sweden, northern and eastern Finland and in very small numbers in northern Norway. More numerous breeder across northern Russia from the southern Kola Peninsula east to the Pacific coast of Asia. There are isolated outposts in southern Finland and Belarus and occasionally breeds south of main range as far as the Volga and Danube Rivers, has bred or attempted to breed in Denmark, Estonia and the Czech Republic. | + | Rare or scarce breeder in northern [[Sweden]], northern and eastern [[Finland]] and in very small numbers in northern [[Norway]]. More numerous breeder across northern [[Russia]] from the southern Kola Peninsula east to the Pacific coast of [[Asia]]. There are isolated outposts in southern [[Finland]] and [[Belarus]] and occasionally breeds south of main range as far as the Volga and Danube Rivers, has bred or attempted to breed in [[Denmark]], [[Estonia]] and the [[Czech Republic]]. |
| − | Very patchy winter range from southern England and northern France east to the southern Baltic and south to the northern Mediterranean and the Black and Caspian Seas. In Asia small numbers occur south to Iraq, Iran and northern India and in the east regular in southern China and Japan. | + | Very patchy winter range from southern [[England]] and northern [[France]] east to the southern Baltic and south to the northern Mediterranean and the Black and Caspian Seas. In Asia small numbers occur south to [[Iraq]], [[Iran]] and northern [[India]] and in the east regular in southern [[China]] and [[Japan]]. |
| − | Vagrants recorded in Iceland and the Faroes and south to Spain, on various Mediterranean islands including Malta, North Africa, Jordan and Burma. In North America regular but rare on the Aleutians but a vagrant elsewhere south to California. | + | Vagrants recorded in [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]] and south to [[Spain]], on various Mediterranean islands including [[Malta]], [[North Africa]], [[Jordan]] and [[Burma]]. In [[North America]] regular but rare on the Aleutians but a vagrant elsewhere south to California. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | It is the only member of the genus Mergellus (Selby, 1840). | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Breeds beside lakes, pools and rivers in forest areas and in winter on larger freshwaters, including reservoirs and gravel-pits, estuaries and sometimes on sheltered seas. | Breeds beside lakes, pools and rivers in forest areas and in winter on larger freshwaters, including reservoirs and gravel-pits, estuaries and sometimes on sheltered seas. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | The Smew breeds in May and lays 6-9 cream eggs. It nests in tree holes, such as old woodpecker nests. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Mergellus+albellus}} | {{GSearch|Mergellus+albellus}} | ||
*[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?p=2&action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=211&Bird_Family_ID=65&pagesize=1 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | *[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?p=2&action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=211&Bird_Family_ID=65&pagesize=1 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Mergellus]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Mergellus]] | ||
Revision as of 15:39, 2 June 2008
- Mergellus albellus
Identification
The male is white with a black mask and a black back, the female is grey with a reddish-brown head and white cheek. In flight, it shows black and white wings.
Distribution
Rare or scarce breeder in northern Sweden, northern and eastern Finland and in very small numbers in northern Norway. More numerous breeder across northern Russia from the southern Kola Peninsula east to the Pacific coast of Asia. There are isolated outposts in southern Finland and Belarus and occasionally breeds south of main range as far as the Volga and Danube Rivers, has bred or attempted to breed in Denmark, Estonia and the Czech Republic.
Very patchy winter range from southern England and northern France east to the southern Baltic and south to the northern Mediterranean and the Black and Caspian Seas. In Asia small numbers occur south to Iraq, Iran and northern India and in the east regular in southern China and Japan.
Vagrants recorded in Iceland and the Faroes and south to Spain, on various Mediterranean islands including Malta, North Africa, Jordan and Burma. In North America regular but rare on the Aleutians but a vagrant elsewhere south to California.
Taxonomy
It is the only member of the genus Mergellus (Selby, 1840).
Habitat
Breeds beside lakes, pools and rivers in forest areas and in winter on larger freshwaters, including reservoirs and gravel-pits, estuaries and sometimes on sheltered seas.
Behaviour
The Smew breeds in May and lays 6-9 cream eggs. It nests in tree holes, such as old woodpecker nests.
