Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

Four populations of the harlequin duck are found world-wide, two of them in Canada. They spend most of the year in coastal marine environments, but move inland each spring to breed along fast-flowing turbulent rivers. Destruction, alteration and contamination of their habitat are the main factors accounting for the decline of the eastern population of the harlequin duck. Since 1990-91, the hunting season for harlequin ducks in the Atlantic provinces has been closed, in recognition of their special need for protection.