Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
HQ
HARDU
2110
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
Males of this small duck are unmistakable with their blue plumage. Sadly, this is only an extremely rare winter visitor to northern Britain from the northernmost reaches of Europe.
When engaged in behavioural interactions, the Harlequin Duck gives a series of distinctly unduck-like squeaks, the source of one of its local names in Canada: 'sea mouse'.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Harlequin Duck
BTO RECORDS
BTO RECORDS
Identification
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
North Yorkshire, 1862 |
DISTRIBUTION
This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution. Recent records have been in Scotland.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Harlequin Duck, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: HQ | 5-letter code: HARDU | Euring: 2110 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Use of nest boxes by goldeneyes in eastern North America
- Black terns benefit from cattail management in the northern Great Plains
- Nest-site selection in relation to habitat edge: experiments in the common goldeneye
Read more studies about Harlequin Duck on Conservation Evidence >
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