Mating pair of Harlequin Ducks

Harlequin Ducks migratory habits are fairly unique for North American birds. The female Harlequin Duck winters on the Pacific Coast and migrates in early spring to nest in rapid, clear creeks in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The mating pair of Harlequin Ducks shown above was photographed in Glacier National Park. The male Harlequin Duck travels in early spring to these same clear, cold, rapidly moving creeks of the Rocky Mountains. Unlike the female Harlequin Duck, the male Harlequin Duck returns to the coastal waters of the Pacific in early summer, leaving behind the female Harlequin Duck to incubate and raise the hatchlings.

The mating plumage of the male Harlequin Duck is very distinctive and difficult to confuse with any other bird. The female during mating season plumage is essentially a colorless version of the males plumage. The Harlequin Ducks move swiftly through the water and unless you are looking carefully it is very easy to miss them.

If you have any questions contact me by email at .

Harlequin Ducks can be found, if your lucky, in and around Lake McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park in late spring. Visit www.glacierhikers.com for more information on hiking and birds in Glacier National Park.