Prakruti Parichay
AnatidaeMergus

Smaw

Mergus albellus

33–44 cmLarge
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
Has a crest

Winter visitor. N subcontinent. A small, stocky 'sawbill' with square-shaped head. in flight. both sexes show dark upperwing with white wing-covert patch. Male is mainly white, with black face, crest-stripe, breast stripes and back. Flanks are grey. Female, and first-winter and eclipse male, have chestnut cap and white cheeks, and mainly dark grey body. Feeds diurnally, mainly by diving, members of a flock typically submerging in unison or in quick succession. Freshwater lakes, rivers; and Himalayan streams.

Colour

WhiteGreyBlackChestnut
Average size
38.5 cm
Habitat
Freshwater lakes, rivers, and Himalayan streams.
Behaviour
Winter visitor., Feeds diurnally, mainly by diving, members of a flock typically submerging in unison or in quick succession.

About this bird

Winter visitor. N subcontinent. A small, stocky 'sawbill' with square-shaped head. in flight. both sexes show dark upperwing with white wing-covert patch. Male is mainly white, with black face, crest-stripe, breast stripes and back. Flanks are grey. Female, and first-winter and eclipse male, have chestnut cap and white cheeks, and mainly dark grey body. Feeds diurnally, mainly by diving, members of a flock typically submerging in unison or in quick succession. Freshwater lakes, rivers; and Himalayan streams.

Compare size with other birds

Every bird sits between two neighbours — bigger than one, smaller than the other. The sentences below are generated live from the database.

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Smaw is bigger than Alpine Chough but smaller than Bar-tailed Godwit.

This bird

Smaw

Mergus albellus

33–44 cm