What is the difference between the Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and the Smew (Mergellus albellus)?
The Common Goldeneye and the Smew are both medium-sized birds in the family of diving ducks.
The Common Goldeneye has bright golden eyes, whereas the Smew has brown eyes.
The Common Goldeneye has yellow legs and yellow webbed feet, whereas the Smew has grey legs and grey webbed feet.
The Common Goldeneye and the Smew are both sea ducks (coastal marine birds) that breed in freshwater lakes.
The Common Goldeneye and the Smew live in similar habitats and often interbreed.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM