DVOC Main Page > Birding the Delaware Valley Region > Birds of the Delaware Valley > Species Description

Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicus

From DVOC's Delaware Valley Birds: "Coastal. Inlets and jetties"

Habitat:
Fast moving streams and along rocky coastal inlets, breakwaters and jetties.

Status and Distribution:
Scare winter resident.

Range:
In eastern North America, breeds from Baffin Island to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Winters from Labrador south along coast to Virginia.

Best time to see the bird:: December to April


© A & J Binns

History/State Records:
  • New Jersey – only 8 records prior to 1955.
  • Pennsylvania – first reported in Feb 1967, though only 2 records in the Delaware Valley
    1. Bristol, Bucks County, Jan 11-12, 1971
    2. New Hope, Bucks County, Feb 21, 1993
  • Delaware – first reported from Indian River Inlet, Sussex County on March 31, 1938. Since 1959 it has been reported in more than half the years.
Best Locations:
New Jersey: Barneget Light, Ocean County: walk out along the jetty in winter where a group of around 15-20 birds can usually be found.