North American field guide

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

Also known as:Lords and Ladies, Painted Duck, Totem Pole Duck, Rock Duck, Glacier Duck, Mountain Duck, White-eyed Diver, Squeaker, Blue Streak

Explore this bird

Identification

46 cm (18") Locally common. Breeds in mountain rivers and streams; winters on rocky coasts. Small, short-billed diving duck.

Male: colorful, mostly blue-gray head, breast and back; reddish-brown sides; numerous bold white spots and patches.

Female: gray-brown overall; 3 white patches on each side of face.

In flight: white head spots; male has white stripe on back; dark unmarked wings.

Song: peeps, females "ek-ek-ek-ek".

Details in the field

6 photos

Credit: John B.

Credit: John B.

Watch and learn

1 video

Harlequin Duck 渓流のシノリガモ

Credit: AKIRA OOYAGI

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 2

What colour was the SIDE ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area between the bill and the eye · Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:764-harlequin-duck-female:1:1 Source: 764 Harlequin Duck (Female), row 1

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 2

What colour was the SIDE ?: Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area between the bill and the eye · Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:763-harlequin-duck-male:1:1 Source: 763 Harlequin Duck (Male), row 1