Smew

Mergellus albellus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans

Smew, Mergellus albellus, is a duck that breeds across the Palearctic, from northern Scandinavia east to Kamchatka in the subarctic. Outside the breeding season it moves to western, central and south-eastern Europe, central Asia, Japan, the Korean Peninsula and south-eastern China. It is the only living member of Mergellus. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758, and it nests in tree holes, including old woodpecker cavities. It uses fish-rich lakes and slow rivers, and in winter it takes shelter on coasts or inland lakes.

Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans
Breeding range
Palearctic: subarctic from n Scandinavia to Kamchatka (se Russia)
Nonbreeding range
to w, c, se Europe, c Asia, Japan, Korean Pen. and se China
Smew
© KKPCW · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

8 tours in Hungary 2, Japan 1, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Czech Republic 1, Lithuania 1, Finland 1

Early Spring Birdwatching Tour in Hungary
Early Spring Birdwatching Tour in Hungary
Hungary / Kecskemet Private tour 5 days

Use five early-March days to combine Hungary’s wintering geese and raptors with Great Bustard, mountain woodpeckers, Wallcreeper and early...

From EUR 750 Next: Mar 8, 2027
Tokyo Birding Escape: Kanto Winter Wetlands and Forests
Tokyo Birding Escape: Kanto Winter Wetlands and Forests
Japan / Tokyo Group tour 4 days

A four-day Kanto birding circuit from Tokyo, combining Choshi coast, Lake Inba, Watarase wetlands, Gunma woodland and Tokyo Bay....

Next: Nov 29, 2026
Autumn Birding Tour in Hungary
Autumn Birding Tour in Hungary
Hungary / Kecskemet Private tour 5 days

Track autumn migration for five days across Lake Tisza, Kiskunsag and northern mountains, focusing on cranes, geese, raptors and late-season...

From EUR 750 Next: Nov 16, 2026
Private South Holland Birding Excursion with Jon Duifhuis
Private South Holland Birding Excursion with Jon Duifhuis
Netherlands / Delft Private tour 2h

A flexible private birdwatching excursion in South Holland with Jon Duifhuis, suitable for beginners and experienced birders and available f...

From EUR 160
Private Constanta Birdwatching and Photography with Bunica Maria
Private Constanta Birdwatching and Photography with Bunica Maria
Romania / Constanta Private tour 6h

A six-hour private birding circuit through coastal lakes, wetlands and shoreline habitats around Constanta, for up to three people....

Private Nové Mlýny Winter Birding with Petr Suvorov
Private Nové Mlýny Winter Birding with Petr Suvorov
Czech Republic / Brno Private tour

Scan the Nové Mlýny reservoirs with Petr Suvorov on a private winter outing shaped around open water, goose movements and the available da...

Magic of Migration Lithuania Birding Tour
Magic of Migration Lithuania Birding Tour
Lithuania / Vente Cape Group tour 8 days

An eight-day autumn birding journey along Lithuania’s East Baltic Flyway, from Ventė Cape and the Curonian Spit to crane gatherings and B...

From EUR 1,120
Classic Helsinki Birdwatching Tour
Classic Helsinki Birdwatching Tour
Finland / Helsinki Private tour 3h

A flexible three-hour private walk at one accessible Helsinki reserve, combining easy local birding, scope views and a route matched to the ...

From EUR 90