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Mergus albellus

(Zwergsaeger)

Overview

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Vulnerable

Threat status

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in English:

Zwergsaeger, Smew

Common Names in German:

Zwergsäger

Common Names in Japanese:

ミコアイサ

Common Names in Russian:

Луток

Description

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Physical Description

Species Mergus albellus

Small ,white duck-like bird.

Has a thick pointed bill with a jagged edge .

Males are 17 1/2 inches to the end of the tail

Females are 15 1/4 inches to the end of the tail.

Females have a brownish head and a white cheek and chin patch . The breast is light grey and the rest of the body is dark grey.

Color:

Black face and a V-shaped black patch beneath the crest . Its back wings and buttocks are dark grey to black. The breast is white and has two lines on the side that extend forward from the back.

Habitat

During breeding Smews are located in small lakes and ponds . However, during the winters they are found in lakes, rivers , and estuaries. They also nest in holes in trees in the forest .

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 853 meters (0 to 2,799 feet).[1]

Biology

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Diet

Fish, insect larvae and shellfish .

Taxonomy

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Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name . Latest taxonomic scrutiny: 24-Jun-1996.

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Mergus

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 11 species and subspecies in this genus:

M. albellus (Zwergsaeger) · M. australis (Auckland Island Merganser) · M. cucullatus (Hooded Merganser) · M. merganser (Buff-Breasted Sheldrake) · M. merganser americanus (Common Merganser) · M. octosetaceus (Brazilian Merganser) · M. serrator (Red-Breasted Goosander) · M. serrator linnaeus (Red-Breasted Merganser) · M. serrator schioleri (Red-Breasted Merganser) · M. serrator serrator (Red-Breasted Merganser) · M. squamatus (Scaly-Sided Merganser)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 12, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Mean = 314.320 meters (1,031.234 feet), Standard Deviation = 182.970 based on 695 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 7/15/2012