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imported>SirStrieb →References: Removed Gal et al as the text it referenced is now on the Mergellus page instead |
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| name = Smew | | name = Smew | ||
| image = Zwergsaeger_maenchen_weibchen.jpg | | image = Zwergsaeger_maenchen_weibchen.jpg | ||
| image_caption = Male (top) and female smew | | image_caption = Male (top) and female smew, [[Texel]], Netherlands | ||
| status = LC | | status = LC | ||
| status_system = IUCN3.1 | | status_system = IUCN3.1 | ||
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Mergellus albellus'' |volume=2016 | | | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Mergellus albellus'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T22680465A85991357 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680465A85991357.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | ||
| genus = Mergellus | | genus = Mergellus | ||
| parent_authority = | | parent_authority = | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
*''Mergus minutus'' {{small|Linnaeus, 1758}} | *''Mergus minutus'' {{small|Linnaeus, 1758}} | ||
| range_map = MergellusAlbellusIUCNver2018 2.png | | range_map = MergellusAlbellusIUCNver2018 2.png | ||
| range_map_caption = Range of ''M. albellus''{{leftlegend|#00FF00|Breeding|outline= | | range_map_caption = Range of ''M. albellus''{{leftlegend|#00FF00|Breeding|outline=grey}} {{leftlegend|#007FFF|Non-breeding|outline=grey}} {{leftlegend|#00FFFF|Passage|outline=grey}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''smew''' ('''''Mergellus albellus''''') is a species of [[duck]] and is the [[Monotypic taxon|only living member]] of the [[genus]] '''''Mergellus'''''. | The '''smew''' ('''''Mergellus albellus''''') is a species of [[duck]] and is the [[Monotypic taxon|only living member]] of the [[genus]] '''''Mergellus'''''. The genus is closely related to ''[[Mergus]]'' and is sometimes included in it; genetic studies have shown that it is the [[sister taxon]] to ''Mergus'' and ''[[Lophodytes]]''.<ref name="Buckner">{{cite journal | last1=Buckner | first1=Janet C. | last2=Ellingson | first2=Ryan | last3=Gold | first3=David A. | last4=Jones | first4=Terry L. | last5=Jacobs | first5=David K. | title=Mitogenomics supports an unexpected taxonomic relationship for the extinct diving duck ''Chendytes lawi'' and definitively places the extinct Labrador Duck | journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume=122 | date=2018 | doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2017.12.008 | doi-access=free | pages=102–109 | url=https://authors.library.caltech.edu/records/5n0k8-61f71/files/1-s2.0-S1055790317304621-main.pdf?download=1 | access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref> The smew has [[hybrid (biology)|hybridised]] with the [[common goldeneye]] (''Bucephala clangula'').<ref name=Madge>{{Cite book |last1=Madge |first1=Steve |last2=Burn |first2=Hilary |title=Wildfowl | publisher=Helm | publication-place=London | date=1992 | isbn=0-7136-3647-5 | pages=112, 274–276}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
The smew was [[Species description|formally described]] in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist [[Carl Linnaeus]] in the [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|tenth edition]] of his ''[[Systema Naturae]]'' under the [[binomial nomenclature|binomial name]] ''Mergus albellus''.<ref>{{cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=Carl | author-link=Carl Linnaeus | year=1758 | title= Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis | volume=1 | edition=10th | page=129 | publisher=Laurentii Salvii | location=Holmiae (Stockholm) | language=Latin | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/727034 }}</ref> Linnaeus based his account on the description published in 1757 by another Swedish naturalist, [[Fredrik Hasselqvist]].<ref>{{ cite book | last=Hasselqvist | first=Fredrik | author1-link=Fredrik Hasselqvist | date=1757 | title=Iter Palæstinum, eller Resa til Heliga Landet, förrättad ifrån år 1749 til 1752 : med beskrifnigar, rön, anmärkingar, öfver de märkvärdigaste naturalier, på Hennes Kongl. Maj.ts befallning | language=Swedish, Latin | location=Stockholm | publisher=Trykt på L. Salvii kåstnad | pages=269-270, No. 37 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49678545 }} | The smew was [[Species description|formally described]] in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist [[Carl Linnaeus]] in the [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|tenth edition]] of his ''[[Systema Naturae]]'' under the [[binomial nomenclature|binomial name]] ''Mergus albellus''.<ref>{{cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=Carl | author-link=Carl Linnaeus | year=1758 | title= Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis | volume=1 | edition=10th | page=129 | publisher=Laurentii Salvii | location=Holmiae (Stockholm) | language=Latin | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/727034 }}</ref> Linnaeus based his account on the description published in 1757 by another Swedish naturalist, [[Fredrik Hasselqvist]], who collected one in Smyrna (now [[İzmir]]) in Turkey.<ref>{{ cite book | last=Hasselqvist | first=Fredrik | author1-link=Fredrik Hasselqvist | date=1757 | title=Iter Palæstinum, eller Resa til Heliga Landet, förrättad ifrån år 1749 til 1752: med beskrifnigar, rön, anmärkingar, öfver de märkvärdigaste naturalier, på Hennes Kongl. Maj.ts befallning | language=Swedish, Latin | location=Stockholm | publisher=Trykt på L. Salvii kåstnad | pages=269-270, No. 37 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49678545 }}</ref> Linnaeus specified the [[type locality (biology)|type locality]] as Europe but this was restricted to the Mediterranean near İzmir in Turkey on the basis of Hasselqvist's travels.<ref>{{ cite book | editor1-last=Mayr | editor1-first=Ernst | editor1-link=Ernst Mayr | editor2-last=Cottrell | editor2-first=G. William | year=1979 | title=Check-List of Birds of the World | volume=1 | edition=2nd | publisher=Museum of Comparative Zoology | place=Cambridge, Massachusetts | page=497 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16109137 }}</ref> The smew is now the only living species placed in the [[genus]] ''[[Mergellus]]'' that was introduced in 1840 by the English naturalist [[Prideaux John Selby|Prideaux Selby]]. The species is [[monotypic]], with no [[subspecies]] recognised.<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela C. Rasmussen | date=December 2023 | title=Screamers, ducks, geese & swans | work=IOC World Bird List Version 14.1 | url=http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/waterfowl/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=2 July 2024 }}</ref> | ||
The term ''smew'' has been used since the 17th century and is of uncertain origin. It is believed to be related to the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''smient'' ("[[wigeon]]") and the German ''Schmeiente'' or '' Schmünte'', "wild duck. | ===Etymology=== | ||
The genus name ''Mergellus'' is a diminutive of ''Mergus'', a [[Latin]] word related to ''mergo'', to dive or submerge, used by [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] for an unspecified diving bird. The specific epithet ''albellus'' is a [[Latin]] diminutive of ''albus'' meaning "white".<ref>{{cite web | title=A smaller Latin-English dictionary : abridged from the larger dictionary: Smith, William | website=Internet Archive | date=2016-10-23 | url=https://archive.org/details/asmallerlatinen00smitgoog/page/351/mode/1up | access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Jobling | first=James A. | year=2010| title=The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | publisher=Christopher Helm | location=London | isbn=978-1-4081-2501-4 | pages=[https://archive.org/stream/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling#page/n251/mode/1up 251], [https://archive.org/stream/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling#page/n38/mode/1up 38]}}</ref> | |||
The term ''smew'' has been used since the 17th century and is of uncertain origin. It is believed to be related to the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''smient'' ("[[wigeon]]") and the German ''Schmeiente'' or ''Schmünte'', "wild duck".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/smew|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229075440/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/smew|archive-date=29 December 2018|title=smew - Definition of smew in English by Oxford Dictionaries|website=Oxford Dictionaries - English}}</ref> It is probably derived from ''smee'', a dialectal term for a wild duck.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://findwords.info/term/smee+duck|title=What is smee duck|website=findwords.info}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/smee|title=Smee definition and meaning - Collins English Dictionary|website=www.collinsdictionary.com}}</ref> | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
[[File: | [[File:Mergellus albellus, Killingworth Lake, Northumberland 1.jpg|thumb|left|''Mergellus albellus'' female, Northumberland, England.]] | ||
The drake smew, with its 'cracked ice' or 'panda' appearance, is unmistakable, and looks very black-and-white in flight. The females and immature males are grey | The smew is {{convert|38|-|44|cm|in|abbr=on}} long,<ref name=Madge/> with a wingspan of 56–69 cm, and a weight 450–650 g.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Smew, Mergellus albellus - Birds - NatureGate|url=http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/linnut/smew|access-date=2020-09-25|website=www.luontoportti.com}}</ref> | ||
Adult drake smew, with its 'cracked ice' or 'panda' appearance, is unmistakable, and looks very black-and-white in flight. The females and immature males are grey, with chestnut forehead and crown, white chin and cheeks, and black lores; they are often known as "redhead" smew. Young males moult into adult plumage late in their first winter, when about 8–10 months old; adult males have an [[Plumage#Eclipse plumage|eclipse plumage]] when they become similar to females, but retaining more white in the wing, in late summer and autumn.<ref name=Madge/><ref name="Svensson">{{cite book | last1=Svensson | first1=Lars | last2=Mullarney | first2=Killian | last3=Zetterstroem | first3=Dan | title=Collins Bird Guide | publisher=William Collins | date=2023-03-16 | isbn=978-0-00-854746-2 | page=42 }}</ref> It has oval white wing-patches in flight. The smew's bill has a hooked tip and serrated edges, which help it catch fish when it dives for them.<ref name=Madge/> | |||
The smew | ==Distribution== | ||
This species breeds in the [[Palearctic]] in the northern [[taiga]] from northern [[Scandinavia]] east to [[Chukotka Autonomous Okrug|Chukotka]]. It needs trees for breeding. The smew lives on fish-rich lakes and slow rivers. As a migrant, it leaves its breeding areas and winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes; in Europe in the [[Baltic Sea]], the [[Black Sea]], northern Germany, the [[Low Countries]], and [[Great Britain]] (mainly in southeast England but some reaching Scotland); in Asia in the [[Caspian Sea]], in eastern [[China]], [[Korea]], and [[Japan]], and a small number reaching northern [[India]].<ref name=Madge/> [[Vagrancy (biology)|Vagrants]] have been recorded in northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt) and North America (Alaska, where regular in the [[Aleutian Islands]], and Canada).<ref name=Madge/> | |||
== | ==Ecology== | ||
On lakes it prefers areas around the edges, often under small trees. The smew breeds in May and lays 7–11 cream-coloured eggs, incubated by the female for 26–28 days. Ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching and learn to fly within about 10 weeks.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
It nests in tree holes, such as old [[woodpecker]] nests. It is a shy bird and flushes easily when disturbed. | It nests in tree holes, such as old [[woodpecker]] nests. It is a shy bird and flushes easily when disturbed. | ||
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==Fossil history== | ==Fossil history== | ||
Subfossils from this species | Subfossils from this species have been found in the [[Early Pleistocene]] of [[West Runton]], [[England]].<ref name="Mlíkovský123"/> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> | <gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> | ||
File: | File:MergellusAlbellusTakeOffv3.jpg|Male taking off, Helsinki, Finland | ||
File: | File:Male of Mergellus albellus (male).jpg|Male, Japan | ||
File:Mergellus albellus (male in flight).jpg|Male in flight, Japan | |||
File:Mergellus albellus, Killingworth Lake, Northumberland 3.jpg|Female, England | |||
File:Smew from the Crossley ID Guide Britain and Ireland.jpg|ID composite | File:Smew from the Crossley ID Guide Britain and Ireland.jpg|ID composite | ||
Mergellus albellus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.33.1.jpg| | Mergellus albellus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.33.1.jpg|Smew eggs, from Suomussalmi, Finland, at the [[Muséum de Toulouse]] | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|refs= | {{Reflist|refs= | ||
<ref name="Mlíkovský123">{{cite book |last=Mlíkovský |first=Jiří |year=2002 |title=Cenozoic Birds of the World, Part 1: Europe |publisher=Ninox Press |location=Prague |id={{Listed Invalid ISBN |80-901105-3-8}} |url=http://www.nm.cz/download/JML-18-2002-CBE.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411215341/http://www.nm.cz/download/JML-18-2002-CBE.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2016 |page=123}}<!-- This should be treated with extreme caution as regards merging of species. Splits are usually good though. See also critical review in Auk121:623-627 here http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3793/is_200404/ai_n9396879 --></ref>}} | <ref name="Mlíkovský123">{{cite book |last=Mlíkovský |first=Jiří |year=2002 |title=Cenozoic Birds of the World, Part 1: Europe |publisher=Ninox Press |location=Prague |id={{Listed Invalid ISBN |80-901105-3-8}} |url=http://www.nm.cz/download/JML-18-2002-CBE.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411215341/http://www.nm.cz/download/JML-18-2002-CBE.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2016 |page=123}}<!-- This should be treated with extreme caution as regards merging of species. Splits are usually good though. See also critical review in Auk121:623-627 here http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3793/is_200404/ai_n9396879 --></ref>}} | ||
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[[Category:Birds of North Asia]] | [[Category:Birds of North Asia]] | ||
[[Category:Birds described in 1758]] | [[Category:Birds described in 1758]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Animal taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:11, 6 October 2025
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
The smew (Mergellus albellus) is a species of duck and is the only living member of the genus Mergellus. The genus is closely related to Mergus and is sometimes included in it; genetic studies have shown that it is the sister taxon to Mergus and Lophodytes.[1] The smew has hybridised with the common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula).[2]
Taxonomy
The smew was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Mergus albellus.[3] Linnaeus based his account on the description published in 1757 by another Swedish naturalist, Fredrik Hasselqvist, who collected one in Smyrna (now İzmir) in Turkey.[4] Linnaeus specified the type locality as Europe but this was restricted to the Mediterranean near İzmir in Turkey on the basis of Hasselqvist's travels.[5] The smew is now the only living species placed in the genus Mergellus that was introduced in 1840 by the English naturalist Prideaux Selby. The species is monotypic, with no subspecies recognised.[6]
Etymology
The genus name Mergellus is a diminutive of Mergus, a Latin word related to mergo, to dive or submerge, used by Pliny for an unspecified diving bird. The specific epithet albellus is a Latin diminutive of albus meaning "white".[7][8]
The term smew has been used since the 17th century and is of uncertain origin. It is believed to be related to the Dutch smient ("wigeon") and the German Schmeiente or Schmünte, "wild duck".[9] It is probably derived from smee, a dialectal term for a wild duck.[10][11]
Description
The smew is Template:Convert long,[2] with a wingspan of 56–69 cm, and a weight 450–650 g.[12]
Adult drake smew, with its 'cracked ice' or 'panda' appearance, is unmistakable, and looks very black-and-white in flight. The females and immature males are grey, with chestnut forehead and crown, white chin and cheeks, and black lores; they are often known as "redhead" smew. Young males moult into adult plumage late in their first winter, when about 8–10 months old; adult males have an eclipse plumage when they become similar to females, but retaining more white in the wing, in late summer and autumn.[2][13] It has oval white wing-patches in flight. The smew's bill has a hooked tip and serrated edges, which help it catch fish when it dives for them.[2]
Distribution
This species breeds in the Palearctic in the northern taiga from northern Scandinavia east to Chukotka. It needs trees for breeding. The smew lives on fish-rich lakes and slow rivers. As a migrant, it leaves its breeding areas and winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes; in Europe in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, northern Germany, the Low Countries, and Great Britain (mainly in southeast England but some reaching Scotland); in Asia in the Caspian Sea, in eastern China, Korea, and Japan, and a small number reaching northern India.[2] Vagrants have been recorded in northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt) and North America (Alaska, where regular in the Aleutian Islands, and Canada).[2]
Ecology
On lakes it prefers areas around the edges, often under small trees. The smew breeds in May and lays 7–11 cream-coloured eggs, incubated by the female for 26–28 days. Ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching and learn to fly within about 10 weeks.[12]
It nests in tree holes, such as old woodpecker nests. It is a shy bird and flushes easily when disturbed.
The smew is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. It is not considered threatened on the IUCN Red List, though its population is decreasing.[14]
Fossil history
Subfossils from this species have been found in the Early Pleistocene of West Runton, England.[15]
Gallery
-
Male taking off, Helsinki, Finland
-
Male, Japan
-
Male in flight, Japan
-
Female, England
-
ID composite
-
Smew eggs, from Suomussalmi, Finland, at the Muséum de Toulouse
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
References
External links
Template:Sister project Template:Sister project
- Template:BirdLife
- Template:Avibase
- Template:InternetBirdCollection
- Template:VIREO
- Template:IUCN Map
- Template:Xeno-canto species
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