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Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
The harlequin (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small diving sea duck and is among the most beautiful waterfowl of North America. As such, it is much sought after by bird watchers and naturalists. The striking blue, white, black, and chestnut plumage of the males gives the duck its name, in honor of the Italian clown. Adult males have slate-blue bodies, chestnut flanks, and white streaks and spots on the head, neck, and back. A white crescent between the eye and the bill extends alongside the black crown stripe. Adult and juvenile females are uniformly sooty-brown with three white dots on the head. Young males achieve their adult plumage after the molt during their second summer.
Read the MDIF&W fact sheet on the Harlequin Duck to learn more