Harlequin Duck

Description: The harlequin duck is ranked among the most beautiful of all American waterfowl. It has a small round body and a short bill with a steep forehead. The drake is blue-gray with rust sides, black-bordered white spots and stripes, and a rust-colored patch on the crown. The hen is dark brown with a white chest, a white patch at the base of the bill, and a white spot behind the eyes. Both hens and drakes have gray legs and feet and blue-gray bills. Drakes are larger than hens. Average size: 14-21 inches. Average weight: 1-1 2/3 pounds.

Science: Two distinct populations exist: the Pacific population breeds in most of Alaska, throughout western Canada, and into the Pacific Northwest, and the Atlantic population breeds in Iceland, Greenland, and northeastern Canada. A feature unique to this bird is its ability to nest and feed around cold, fast-moving streams and rivers, often in mountainous areas. They migrate in September in small groups of a dozen or so, traveling a relatively short distance to coastal waters. They may be found on the open ocean and along rocky coasts. Their common name comes from their ability to dive into turbulent, fast-moving creeks, rivers, and surf. They feed along the water bottom, eating crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and fish. The call is a high-pitched squeak. The Atlantic population is considered endangered, as their numbers are declining. The Pacific population is stable.

Hunting: Due to their declining population, the Atlantic birds are rarely hunted. The Pacific birds are occasionally hunted by specimen collectors using traditional sea duck hunting techniques.