Species:

Smew (Mergellus albellus)

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

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Length (cm):
38-44
50-65
Wingspan (cm):
55-69
81-98
Weight (gram):
500-800
750-1450
Size group:
Crow-size
Crow-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

A small and compact duck, more resembling a Goldeneye than other sawbils. Small bill and steep forehead. Male almost completely white, with black mask and fine black markings. In flight the dark wings gives it a more black and white appearance. Female or immature may be mistaken for other small ducks, but combination of brown upper head and white lower head is unique among WP-ducks. Body brownish grey. White patch on wing coverts prominent in flight in both sexes. Groups fly in loose lines, not bunches.

Sound:

Mostly quiet except when displaying, and even then difficult to hear. Male: an ascending, froglike, rattling pulse of clicks. Also various grunting sounds. Alarm call a harsh "Kraaa".

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Appearance:

In all plumages distinguished by blue or purple speculum boldly framed in white. Male: metallic green head, brown breast, grey body and yellow bill. Female: brownish with dark speckles. Bill with variable, uneven orange markings on sides. Differs from Gadwall and Pintail by being noticeably more heavily built.

Sound:

Female: A distinct coarse, laughing quacking; "haaa ha ha ha ha ha", with first note accented and then descending in pitch. Male: a more silent, very nasal "rriib". Display call a high-pitched short whistle.

Female:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Stein Ø. Nilsen,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Duck-like
Silhouette
Duck-like
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file