Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

These birds are most often seen pootling around the rocks that surround the light station off the tip of Herring Bay. Females are dark, with light areas on their head. 2

The Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small sea duck. It takes its name from Arlecchino, Arlequin in French, a colourfully dressed character in Commedia dell'arte. The species name comes from the Latin word "histrio", "actor". In North America it is also known as Lords and ladies. Other names include painted duck, totem pole duck, rock duck, glacier duck, mountain duck, white-eyed diver, squeaker and blue streak.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Len Blumin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/9062441@N02/3206828859
  2. Adapted by John D Reynolds from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histrionicus_histrionicus

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