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Wildfowl Photography |
Smew (Mergus albellus) |
A small, compact diving duck from Scandanavia
and Russia this species can only been seen in the UK in small numbers
during the winter months. The best places to find them are on inland
lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits, shallow sheltered coastal waters
and estuaries. It is a member of the sawbill group, its hooked, serated
bill making it easier to catch fish. |
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The male is very distinctive in his black
and white plumage. After breeding has finished they moult. During this
time they look very similar to the female and they do not begin to take
on their breeding plumage again until late winter. The photo below shows
the male in eclipse plumage. |
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The photos below show the female. Little
is known about these birds on their breeding grounds. When I have watched
them at Martinmere though I have noticed that females can be quite aggressive
with one another in their attempt to attract a male. 7-9 eggs are laid
and incubation takes 28 days. |
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A juvenile Smew |
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