Harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 12 inches Wingspan: 26 inches
• Small diving duck
• Small gray bill
• Dark wings

Adult male alternate:

• Blue-gray head and body
• White crescent behind bill
• Two white patches on side of head
• White streaks on neck and breast
• White scapulars
• Brown flanks
• Black tail, undertail covert, and uppertail coverts
• Immature male similar to adult male but plumage duller

Adult female:

• Two to three distinct spots on head
• Brown head and body
• Pale belly

Similar species:

The adult male is not likely to be confused with any other duck. The very dark female is somewhat similar to female scoters but note the smaller size, smaller bill, rounder head, and different face pattern. The female Bufflehead is also small but only has one white spot on the head and a white speculum. In flight, the female Oldquaw also has dark wings but has more white in the head and body.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.