Scientific name: Mergellus albellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Ducks
Field characters. 38-44 cm. Smaller, more duck-like, and with shorter bill than other sawbills. Male appears completely white with conspicuous black eye patch and band from behind eye to nape; at short distance black centre of back, two black lines on sides of breast and one on shoulder are visible; flanks vermiculated dark grey, rump and tail grey-black, underparts white; bill blue-grey, legs and foot slate. In flight, wing shows contrasting black-and-white pattern: primaries black, inner half of wing white with two dark lines on hind section. Female with chestnut-red crown, nape and hindneck, contrasting with white face and throat; lores blackish; back, breast and flanks grey, underparts white; in flight white wing-patch smaller than in male; bill dark grey. Juvenile as female but with brownish white wing-patch and lores not black.
Voice. Silent; male occasionally produces a hoarse, grating call.
Distribution. Rare breeding bird of Fenno-Scandia and N Russia. In winter scattered and uncommon, but locally in large numbers.
Habitat. In breeding season frequents lakes, pools, rivers and drowned floodlands in forested areas; nests in tree-holes. Winters mainly on fresh waters.
Food. Diurnal feeder which obtains food mainly by surface-diving. In winter and early spring mainly small fish; in other periods of the year also aquatic insects. Dives up to 4 m. Prey is usually brought to surface before swallowing.
Eggs. Unmarked, ground colour cream/pale buff. Texture smooth, slightly glossy. Shape subelliptical/short subelliptical. Size 52 x 38 mm (48-58 x 34-40, weight 39 g (35-45) for captive laid eggs. Rather like eggs of Eurasian Wigeon and Gadwall.