Harlequin Duck

The Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small sea duck who takes its name from Arlecchino (“Harlequin” in French) a colorfully dressed character in Commedia dell’arte. The species name comes from the Latin word “histrio” or “actor”.

Adult males are slate blue with chestnut sides and white markings including a white crescent at the base of the bill. Adult females are less colorful, with brownish-grey plumage and a white patch on the head around the eye. Both adults have a white ear patch.

Their preferred breeding habitat is cold fast moving streams in north-western and north-eastern North America, Greenland, Iceland and western Russia. The nest is usually located in a well-concealed location on the ground near a stream.

They are short distance migrants and most winter near rocky shorelines on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They are very rare vagrants to Western Europe.

These birds feed by swimming under water or diving. They also dabble. They eat mollusks, crustaceans and insects.

The eastern North American population is declining and is considered to be endangered. Possible causes include loss of habitat due to hydroelectric projects and loss of life due to oil spills near coastal areas.