SNAP*Shot: Annual Visit with Harlequin Ducks

It’s Mother’s Day and once again the Harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) are at LeHardy Rapids not far from Yellowstone Lake.  They visit here annually and so do I. Let’s share some time with these fearless critters.

Harlequins winter in the roughest coastal waters preferring rocky areas pounded by surf. There is a small eastern contingent of Harlequins completely separate from our Pacific Harlequins. In winter the eastern Harlequins live primarily off the coast of Maine spending the breeding season in maritime Canada.

These Pacific Harlequins migrate east to west rather than north to south. They live from the central Oregon coast up and over to Russia all winter. In spring they head to turbulent northern rivers in forested mountains to breed. They are the only duck in the world that splits their time between the ocean and mountain rivers. Harlequins visit very few places in the Lower 48, but they are in LeHardy Rapids every year.

Harlequin society is matriarchal with adult females returning year after year to their river of birth. The young female chooses a bachelor, and although unpaired males show up, they often to not get a chance to breed. Research has shown that Harlequin pairs may stay together for years apparently with great loyalty. The males only stay here four to six weeks then return to the ocean. The females raise the young returning to the ocean mid to late September, before the annual molt that leaves them flightless for a time.

Harlequins are diving sea ducks, barely half the size of a mallard. They forage around rocks and on the bottom of rivers for insects, small fish, and invertebrates. The female’s coloring is brown, as with most ducks, but the male is the showiest in the waterfowl world. It is said their splashy colors were assembled by a committee of first graders. Even so, they are beautiful! These ducks are sometimes called sea mice. Apparently when engaged in behavioral interactions, they make unducklike squeaks. The rapids are so loud we never hear them, but can imagine the squeaking as this pair discourages an unattached male.

Pairs are together constantly, diving in rough water to feed together then resting together. While hunting and swimming, strong currents push them downstream. Then flapping their wings, they skitter across the top of the raging water to get upstream again. So fascinating to watch, but tough to photograph .

Considering their habitat, it is no surprise that studies show adult Harlequins have had broken bones. I never thought ducks would break bones, let alone by simply living life. They have large webbed feet helping them stand on slippery rocks in rough water.

Once the males leave, the females build their nests on the ground, under trees, in hollow stumps, or among rocks, but always near the water. She lays between 3 and 10 eggs which will hatch in about 30 days. The down-covered little ones leave the nest soon after hatching. Although Mom will tend to them, they feed themselves very soon after hatching. At first they’ll take food from the water’s surface, however, they begin diving for food while still quite small. Sometimes females work together to care for their broods. The little ones are able to fly about five to six weeks after hatching, but won’t leave the area until about mid September when they’ll head to their ocean winter home.

Amazing little ducks that are an annual treat in Yellowstone. Harlequins are being threatened by ocean pollution, but are also threatened inland by poaching, hunting, logging, mining, even boating that disturbs and pollutes the water that is their life blood. Happily they are currently not in serious peril. Biologist continue to be surprised that Harlequins have survived so well with all the issues they face. Hopefully it speaks to their adaptability. In the meantime keep fighting for regulations that protect our wild waters and wild places, lending a helping hand to the survival of these very special ducks.

Enjoy the amazing creatures in your special part of the world!