Overview 



The pacific population of harlequin ducks extends from central 

 California to northern Alaska and inland to the east front of the Rocky 

 Mountains and south into northwest Wyoming (Bellrose 1976). 

 Northwest Montana is on the eastern fringe of the migration route for 

 the Pacific Coast population of harlequins. Breeding harlequins have 

 been found on the Kootenai, lower Clark Fork, and Flathead River 

 drainages; streams in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks; and 

 streams on the east front of the Rocky Mountains (Kuchel 1977; 

 Fairman, personal communication). Breeding populations are 

 uncommon and localized in western Montana despite numerous 

 streams which superficially appear to provide suitable habitat 

 (Kuchel 1977). 



Harlequin ducks congregate in secluded coastal waters between 

 July and April. Males tend to spend more time in coastal waters than 

 do females. Pair bonding most likely occurs at this time (Wallen 

 1987). Harlequin ducks spend approximately 2 to 5 months in Montana 

 with pairs arriving in late April or early May. Nonbreeding and 

 unmated ducks also migrate inland. Males return to the coast by mid 

 to late June generally leaving just prior to initiation of incubation 

 (Kuchel 1977; Wallen 1987). Unpaired females remain at the nesting 

 grounds for for 3-5 weeks before returning to the coastal waters. 

 Hens with broods depart in late August. 



Harlequins exhibit a strong nest site tenacity, often returning to 

 the same site yearly (Kuchel 1977; Wallen 1987; Wallen and Groves 

 1989). Nesting, incubation, and hatching dates vary with local 

 populations. This may be attributed to differences in spring run-off 



