March 12th, 2005
Harlequin ducks
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think these little guys are Harlequin Ducks.According to the Seattle Audubon Society’s BirdWeb site, the Harlequin Duck has a small bill, short neck, and long tail. “Males in breeding plumage are unmistakable with their dark blue color, rufous sides and crown, and striking white patterning on the face, neck, sides, and back. In non-breeding plumage the males are brown with white on the face and a round white spot at each ear. A subtle white shoulder stripe and white on the wings distinguishes the male in non-breeding plumage from the juvenile and the female, which look similar. Harlequin Ducks prefer turbulent water, both in their breeding habitat, which is along fast-moving mountain streams, and in their wintering habitat, which is along rocky coastlines. Coastal habitat is typically in the shallow, intertidal zones along rocky coastlines, where rough surf is the norm.” That would explain why these guys were hanging out Saturday morning at Sunset Beach in Washington Park.