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Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesMarineCavity nestLarge · 562 g
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 1
Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 2
Photo: peggycadigan · CC BY 2.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 3
Photo: James St. John · CC BY 2.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 4
Photo: yongestation · CC BY 4.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 5
Photo: Robbie · CC BY 4.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 6
Photo: Robbie · CC BY 4.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 7
Photo: osoberries · CC BY 4.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 8
Photo: Cole Wolf · CC BY 4.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 9
Photo: Cole Wolf · CC BY 4.0
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), photo 10
Photo: JD Flores · CC0

ID tip

Adult breeding males have a colorful and complex plumage pattern. The head and neck are dark slate blue with a large white crescent marking in front of the eye that extends up to the crest, a small round dot behind the eye, and a larger oval spot down the side of the neck. A black crown stripe runs over the top of the head, with chestnut patches on either side. A black-bordered white collar separates the head from the breast. The body is largely a lighter slate blue with chestnut sides. A black-bordered white bar divides the breast vertically from the sides.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Harlequin Duck

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 11 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Harlequin Duck

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 12 countries with regular records, and 6 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

United States Canada Iceland Japan Russia St. Pierre & Miquelon South Korea Greenland Mexico China North Korea Latvia

Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Norway, France, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden.

About the Harlequin Duck

The harlequin duck is a small sea duck. It takes its name from Harlequin, a colourfully dressed character in the commedia dell'arte theatre of Italy. The species name comes from the Latin word histrio, meaning "actor". Other names include painted duck, totem pole duck, rock duck, glacier duck, mountain duck, white-eyed diver, squeaker, lords and ladies and blue streak.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) Barrow's GoldeneyeBucephala islandicaAdults are similar in appearance to the common goldeneye. Smew (Mergellus albellus) SmewMergellus albellusThe smew is 38–44 cm (15–17 in) long, with a wingspan of 56–69 cm (22–27 in), and a weight of 450–650 g (16–23 oz). Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) Chestnut TealAnas castaneaThe chestnut teal is darker and a slightly bigger bird than the grey teal.

Side by side: Harlequin Duck vs Smew · Barrow's Goldeneye vs Harlequin Duck · Chestnut Teal vs Harlequin Duck

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