Adventures Outdoors'
In Wisconsin
HARLEQUIN
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
ABOUT THEM
Harlequins are diving Ducks sometimes seen in Lake Michigan or Lake Superior in Wisconsin but they are rare here. They feed on crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, aquatic animals, and roe. The flocks are small and compact flying low and quick almost looking black in flight. Harlequins don't breed until they are two years old. The Hens nest along rocky shores of the coasts, on small cliffs, or in stumps. She will lay about 6 eggs. They breed along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts from Baffin Island, Iceland, Greenland, through Quebec, northern Newfoundland, and eastern Labrador. The Pacific coast birds breed from western Alaska, the Yukon, northern British Columbia, southern Alberta, south to Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and eastern Montana. The Pacific coast Ducks winter in the Aleutian and Pribolof Islands south to central California. The Atlantic birds winter in coastal areas of Greenland, Iceland, Newfoundland, Novia Scotia to Maryland. Population estimates the Pacific Harlequins number around 1,000,000, and the Atlantic Harlequins number over 20,000.
DESCRIPTION
The Drake is a deep blue, with white stripes, crescents and spots on his head, neck, and scapulars. The sides and flanks are a chestnut color, the bill is blue-gray with a pail nail and the legs and feet are gray.
The Hen resembles a Hen Scoter or Hen Bufflehead and she is black-brown, with three white spots on her head, and a oblong white spot behind her eye.