Habitat ³

During breeding, the Harlequin Duck prefers swiftly flowing streams and rivers, both above and below treeline. Nests on the ground, near water protected by vegetation.

Distribution ³

Yukon: Widespread breeder on swift-flowing rivers and creeks.
North America: In the west, breeds throughout mountains from Alaska to Wyoming. In the east, breeds in southern Greenland, northern Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland and the Gaspé. Western populations winter on Pacific coast from Bering Sea to northern California, and eastern population on Atlantic coast from Greenland to Virginia.
Global: Also breeds in eastern Siberia; some winter on coasts of Japan, Korea, and northern China.

Distinguishing Features ³

A small duck with a steep forehead, rounded head and stubby bill. Breeding male is an unmistakeable slate-blue, with white spots and stripes, and chestnut-coloured anks. Female is a plain brown with three white spots on each side of head.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Ashley Tubbs, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/47745688@N05/16377514452/
2. (c) Ashley Tubbs, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/47745688@N05/15920881100/
3. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNaturalist.ca taxon page
• All About Birds-- The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• CalPhotos
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• NBN Atlas
• VertNet
• Xeno-canto
• 日本のレッドデータ検索システム

Range Map

(c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

iNaturalist.ca Map