Smew vs Red-breasted Merganser

In short

The Smew and Red-breasted Merganser are both diving ducks, but they can be distinguished by their plumage and bill shape. The Smew has a more compact body and a distinctive black-and-white pattern in males, while the Red-breasted Merganser features a longer, thinner bill and a shaggy crest.

Identification tips

1. Bill Shape: The Smew has a shorter, more compact bill compared to the longer, thinner bill of the Red-breasted Merganser. 2. Male Plumage: Look for the Smew's distinctive black-and-white pattern versus the Red-breasted Merganser's dark head and reddish breast. 3. Female Plumage: Smew females have a rusty brown head with white cheeks, while Red-breasted Merganser females are more uniformly grayish-brown with a shaggy crest. 4. Habitat: Consider the habitat; Smews are more likely in freshwater, while Red-breasted Mergansers are often coastal.

Size

The Smew is slightly smaller and more compact than the Red-breasted Merganser.

Plumage

Male Smews have a striking black-and-white 'cracked ice' appearance, while females are gray with a rusty brown head and white cheeks. Red-breasted Mergansers have a shaggy crest, with males displaying a dark head, white neck ring, and reddish breast, and females having a more uniform grayish-brown body.

Behaviour

Both species are diving ducks, but the Smew is more often found in freshwater habitats, while the Red-breasted Merganser is frequently seen in coastal areas.

Habitat

The Smew prefers freshwater lakes and rivers in boreal forests, while the Red-breasted Merganser is more often found in coastal bays and large water bodies, especially in tundra and boreal zones.