Breeding Location:
Forest
Breeding Type:
Monogamous
Breeding Population:
Rare, Accidental in North America
Egg Color:
Creamy white
Number of Eggs:
6 - 9
Incubation Days:
26
Egg Incubator:
Female
Nest Material:
Lined with down.
Migration:
Migratory
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Overview
Smew: Small merganser, mostly white body except for black back, mask, breast bar, and V-shaped nape patch. Wings are dark with large white patches. Gray legs, feet. Feeds on fish, aquatic insects, and their larvae. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. Flies in straight line or V formation.
Range and Habitat
Smew: Eurasian species, rare fall and winter visitor in western Aleutians; casual on Pribilofs; accidental on or near the west and east coast and the Great Lakes. Preferred habitats include lakes, bays, and rivers.
Breeding and Nesting
Smew: Six to nine creamy white eggs are laid in a tree hole lined with down, usually close to the ground, and near water. Eggs are incubated for 26 days by the female.
Foraging and Feeding
Smew: Feeds on aquatic insects and small fish; forages by diving from the surface, swimming underwater to pursue prey.
Readily Eats
Vocalization
Smew: Gives a sharp "krrr" note.
Similar Species
Smew: Steller’s Eider has brown breast and belly.
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