Smew
| Irish Name: | Síolta gheal |
| Scientific name: | Mergellus albellus |
| Bird Family: | Ducks |
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Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
A rare winter visitor to wetlands from October to March.
Identification
Slightly smaller than Goldeneye. Adult males in breeding plumage are unmistakable, the head and neck being white with a black patch around the eye, as well as black lines on the back of the head and along the flanks. The rest of the body is a pale grey. Adult male Smew in eclipse plumage are similar to females, except for the black patch around the eye, as well as retaining some white on the head. Female and juvenile Smew are indistinguishable from each other and are colloquialy known as "red-head" Smew. They appear similar to a female Goldeneye, but can be recognised by the large white patch on the throat and the dark eye.
Voice
Generally silent when seen in Ireland.
Diet
Dives for small fish such as minnows, plaice and sandeels.
Breeding
Does not breed in Ireland. The majority of the European population breeds in northern Scandinavia and across Russia.
Wintering
Smew are only rare winter visitors to ponds and lakes in Ireland, mainly in the north and north-east. Most birds winter in Central Europe and may move westwards when lakes there freeze over.
Monitored by
Scarce Winter visitor. The North Slob in County Wexford regularly hosts one or two Smew in Winter, with Lough Neagh and Portmore Lough in Antrim also being reliable sites for this species.
Breeds in Northern Europe.
