Smew
Mergus albellus
The smew is a small diving duck with a slender bill. The male is white with a black mask and a black back. The female is gray with a reddish-brown head and white cheek. Little is known about this bird on its breeding grounds.

Distribution
The northern taigas of Europe and Asia. Winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes, gravel pits and estuaries.

Breeding/nesting
Northern wet forests in Scandinavia with mature trees and nest-holes.

What they eat
Fish, insect larvae and other insects.

Smew
(Mergus albellus)
photo: Mike Teller

White-tailed Trogon
Trogon viridis
Trogons are compact, short necked arboreal birds with long, graduated tails, short wings, a short, broad hooked bill and very short legs. Plumage is brightly colored. The main features of the white-tailed trogon are its almost white tail, yellow belly and violet breast and hood. Females are similar with duller coloration.

Distribution
Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil (Amazon and Orinoco Basins.

Breeding/nesting
They usually excavate a nest hole from a termite nest in a tree.

What they eat
Fruit, berries and insects