Harlequin Duck males on the north Puget Sound, a fairly common winter sighting.
Harlequin Ducks Histrionicus histrionicus is a diving duck that is most often found in areas with fairly fast moving water. THey breed in fast moving rivers, but are more often seen by birders on on their wintering territory. Around western Washington, where I live, this usually on salt water near rocky shores where tidal water movement simulates the rivers where they breed. Last week I was lucky enough to see a female at Longmire Mt. Rainier where she was swimming upstream, almost unbelievably, against a raging river current, feeding under the water as she went.
As you can see the female is quite drab in comparison to the male. It seems the gaudy plumage of the male gives origin to the Latin scientific name.
If you didn't know they were male and female of the same species it would be easy to not recognize the female.
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Those ducks really comes with a strong leg. Imagine swimming against the current of river, that's exhausting.
Wow, great colours on those ducks!
The males are spectacular aren't they. Harlequin is a name also used for mimes and clowns, and the Latin name histrionicus is perfect.
They are! We have cool looking ducks here as well, but none similar to those colours! :)
Thank you for sharing those amazing pics of the nature with us! :)
The duck have beauty colour. Do it fly?
They are fast and agile in flight.
Thank you for sharing those picture :)
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I live up north of you in the Gulf Islands. When we go walking along the shore I see them quite often in the winter. I was always curious to know where they went to breed. It’s amazing that they go to even rougher water to do just that!
Great shot! Harlequin ducks are really pretty!!
Stunning photo and capture with superb detail of these beautiful ducks.
Great photography by you
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