CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT 



Taxonomy 



Histrionicus is a monospecific genus in the tribe Mergini (sea ducks) (Johnsgard 1960). 

 Disjunct populations occur in conjunction with the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. No subspecies are 

 currently recognized. 



Management status 



Due to low numbers, limited distribution, and localized population declines, harlequin ducks 

 were classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a C2 candidate for threatened or endangered 

 status throughout the United States in 1991(USDI 1991). The harlequin duck is a U. S. Forest Service 

 sensitive species in the Northern, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Northwest Regions, a state sensitive 

 species in Oregon, a priority habitat species in Washington, and a species of special concern in 

 Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Harlequin ducks are also classified as migratory waterfowl covered 

 under general waterfowl or sea duck regulations in Washington, Oregon, California, British Columbia, 

 and Alaska. Although harlequin ducks normally migrate to the coast prior to waterfowl hunting season 

 in the Rocky Mountains, they are legally hunted and very occasionally taken in this area as well. 



Range and Distribution 



The harlequin duck winters and molts in coastal areas and migrates inland to breed along 

 swiftly flowing mountain streams. Harlequin ducks are holarctic, but occur in disjunct populations 

 associated with the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines in North America and Asia. The Rocky Mountains 

 lie in the breeding range of the Pacific population in North America. This breeding range currently 

 extends from Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and possibly northern California east to 

 the eastern slopes of the continental divide in Alberta and Montana, and south to northwestern 

 Wyoming and southeastern Idaho. Wintering occurs primarily in coastal areas of Alaska, British 

 Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California. 



In the western United States outside Alaska, stream surveys and incidental reports have 

 documented harlequin duck use on 347 second-order or larger streams, (Table 1). Number of streams 

 used by harlequin ducks in western Canada and Alaska is unknown. Streams crossing state lines and 

 equally divided between states were assigned to the upstream state. One hundred thirty-five streams 

 where harlequin ducks have been observed during the breeding season in the U.S. Pacific outside 

 Alaska occur in the Rocky Mountains (40%). 



