Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Other references:
B138

Aviculture information:
J23.13.w4, J23.13.w8
B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B129,
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Seaducks
• Mergansers

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Seaducks are generally winter-hardy and sociable. They are preferably kept on a large area of clean, cold, deep water, at least some of which (preferably half the area) should be more than 60cm and preferably more than1m deep. As with other diving ducks, most species are relatively ungainly on land and ponds should have shallow sloping banks. Some cover along the pond edges will generally be appreciated. Preferred nesting sites vary greatly within this group, from open ground nesting to thick vegetation and tree holes.
• Diets of grain, pellets fish and seafood may be used, also bread. These ducks generally need a higher-protein diet than most waterfowl species and high-protein pelleted diets specifically designed for seaducks are now available, although supplementation with fish may still be important particularly for breeding.
• Feeding in troughs containing stones may avoid the development of overgrown bills. Provision of salt water may decrease the incidence of fungal and other infections.
• Ducklings may be given high-protein starter crumbs and live food, and provided with access to deep water for swimming from an early age.
• Mergansers, also known as "sawbills" and "fish ducks", require a large area of deep, clean water, with marginal vegetation providing cover along the edges. Very active and playful, the larger species may be belligerent and upset other ducks in a mixed collection. Breeders pellets, floating pellets and addition fish such as sprats or sand eels should be fed. These species are at particular risk from Foreign Body Ingestion, due to their tendency to pick up, play with and occasionally swallow, a wide variety of objects. Sawbills will nest in boxes or barrels, on the ground or raised, sometimes at a distance from water. Ducklings should be provided with access to swimming water from an early age.

(J23.13.w4, J23.13.w8, B7, B29, B40, B94, B129, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Smew are winter-hardy and suitable for mixed collections; a large water area containing natural food is preferred and a high-protein diet should be provided.
• They have been bred with some regularity, although they are not considered easy to rear. These small mergansers will nest in small raised barrels, hollow tree trunks or raised nestboxes, and may also lay in natural vegetation. One nest design uses a hollow tree trunk, approximately 1m high, with a roof, and a 7.5-10cm entrance hole about 23cm from the top, the floor being 30cm below the hole. This should be placed at the edge of the water with a ramp leading to the entrance hole (J23.13.w8). Eggs are usually laid May to June.
• Ducklings may be difficult to rear. Starter crumbs may be supplemented with e.g. hard-boiled egg, trout fry, minced eel.
• Hybrids reported with Goldeneye.

(J23.13.w8, B29, B30, B40B94, B97, B129).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: J 9.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• Stimulating Feeding of Downies (Waterfowl)
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Legs

Plumage

Wing blackish with white over median coverts and white tips to greater covers and secondaries.

Eclipse: Similar to female but upperparts darker and retains more white on wing.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

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Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Migratory. Winters further south including Britain.

London: In the London Area, "winter visitor in highly variable numbers." In 2000, up to 166 individuals from 30 sites were reported in January, with the last birds leaving in march and the first winter arrivals in November. (J322.65.w1)

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Reasonable numbers.

Captive Populations

Trade