smew

9.9

A small diving duck with white and black feathers found in northern Europe and Asia

noun
/smuː/

: mergus

The striking white and black plumage makes the male smew easy to identify.

Examples

Birdwatchers often travel long distances to see a smew in its natural habitat.
A rare smew was spotted at the nature reserve during the winter migration.
The smew is known for its striking plumage.
Have you ever seen a smew in the wild?
A rare smew was spotted at the nature reserve during the winter migration.
Birdwatchers often travel long distances to see a smew in its natural habitat.
The striking white and black plumage makes the male smew easy to identify.

Synonyms

Mergus albellus

vssmew

Specialized

9.9

A small diving duck with white and black male feathers found in northern Europe and Asia

is the everyday English name rather than the Latin scientific form

Surface Forms

smew singular

smews plural

Etymology

Smew names a small diving duck and comes from an old northern European name for this bird. A helpful way to remember smew is to see it as small + mew, a 'tiny' bird that dives, which fits the duck's size and diving habit.