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Interesting Facts:
The harlequin population shows up in late summer at Race Rocks and stays through the winter. They do not nest in the area,but go to Northern inland lakes and rivers for that. Usually a group of 6 individuals is in the area. Look for them using the remote camera in the water down close to the island from the docks around to the West side.
- English name from characters in Italian comedy that wear a mask and have an oddly painted costume
- Locally may be called "rock ducks" due to their habit of staying out on rocks.
- Population of 200 - 300 thousand on the West Coast but endangered on the Atlantic Coast
- A group of 3 to 5 Harlequins overwinter at Race Rocks, arriving in early November and departing in the spring.
Identification:
- Length: 12 inches
- Wingspan: 26 inches
- Small diving duck
- Small gray bill
- Dark wings
Males have a striking feathers with dark blue, dark orange, and white streaks
Females are discrete and have a subtle brown color that camouflages them for nesting
Biotic Associations:
- Predation from Sea Lions
- Spend majority of time feeding in Kelp Beds on aquatic invertebrates and lesser quantities of fish.
Food:
Freshwater invertebrates
- Fish eggs consumed when available
- Use their stubby bill to pry invertebrates such as snails, limpets, crabs, chitons, and mussels from the rocks
during the winter months
- In the late winter months they feed on herring spawn in large congregations.
References and Sources of More Information:
US Geological Survey: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i1550id.html
Banff and Jasper National Park: http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-banff/harlequi.html
Canadian Wildlife Service: http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hww-fap/harlduck/harlequin.html
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