Bird of the Week 11/27 - 12/1
Harlequin
This week’s bird is the: Harlequin Duck
This sea duck is named after the Harlequin characters of medieval plays, which are typically depicted in colorful, checkered costumes. The bird’s scientific name Histrionicus histrionicus is also derived from the root “histrio,” meaning actor.
This sea duck is the only member of its genus, so lonely :(
Uniquely, this bird behaves like the aquatic American Dipper during the breeding season, swimming and diving in rivers and streams to catch aquatic prey.
When they aren’t breeding, these birds head to the ocean where they seek out rocky shorelines and uncomfortable beaches.
These are hardy ones, spending the entire year Oregon on the West Coast and New Jersey in the east.
Have a good week!
Nice! I needed a break from the same old...thank you!
There was a rare (i think) sighting in Montauk last year!