The Smew (Mergellus albellus) is a small duck which is intermediate between the mergansers and the goldeneyes, and has interbred with the Common Goldeneye. It is the only member of the genus Mergellus (Selby, 1840).
This species breeds in the northern taiga of Europe and Asia and winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes. It nests in tree holes, such as old woodpecker nests. The Smew's bill has a hooked tip and serrated edges, which help it catch fish when it dives for them.
The Smew is shy and flushes easily when disturbed.
The drake Smew, with its 'cracked ice' appearance, is unmistakable, and looks very black-and-white in flight. The females and immature males are grey birds with chestnut foreheads and crowns, and can be confused at a distance with the Ruddy Duck; they are often known as "redhead" Smew. It has oval white wing-patches in flight.
Several other "subgenera" were found to be identical to the taxa with which they generally are merged and are not labeled separately in the trees: Casarca (= Tadorna), Metopiana (= Netta), Oidemia (= Melanitta), and Charitonetta (= Bucephala).
Anhimids and Anseranas.--Monophyly of the Anhimidae and the waterfowl and the early branching of Anseranas were confirmed (Fig.
This analysis shows the Sinew (Mergellus al- bellus) to be either the sister genus to Bucephala (Fig.
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