Smew Latest News
The smew was recently sighted for the first time in the Kaziranga during the 7th Waterbird Count at Rowmari-Donduwa beels (Laokhowa) buffer of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve sites.
About Smew
- It is a small diving duck formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus.
- Scientific Name: Mergellus albellus
Smew Habitat and Distribution
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- Smews breed in the northern taiga of Europe and the Palearctic.
- They need trees for breeding and prefer to live on fish-rich lakes and slow rivers.
- Smews spend winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes of the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, northern Germany, and the Low Countries, with a small number reaching Great Britain.
Smew Features
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- It is a compact diving duck with a delicate bill.
- 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.
- The smew’s bill has a hooked tip and serrated edges, which help it catch fish when it dives for them.
Smew Conservation Status
It is classified as ‘Least Concern‘ under the IUCN Red List.
Source: TOI
Last updated on February, 2026
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Smew FAQs
Q1. What type of bird is the Smew?+
Q2. What is the scientific name of the Smew?+
Q3. In which region do Smews breed?+
Q4. What is the conservation status of the Smew according to the IUCN Red List?+
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