INTRODUCTION - 



The Harlequin Duck {Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small sea duck, which travels inland to breed 

 on fresh water streams. The male is strikingly colored with black and white spots and crescents, 

 and chestnut sides on a deep cobalt blue background. The female is dull brown with three white 

 spots on the face. Harlequins breed in western North America from Alaska and the Yukon south 

 through western Montana to California (Cassirer et al. 1993); in eastern North America they , 

 breed form BafiBn Island south to eastern Quebec and Labrador (Goudie 1993). In the Palaearctic 

 they breed in Iceland, Greenland and Siberia (A.O.U. 1983). Approximately 1 10 pairs of 

 Harlequins currently breed in Montana (Center 1993), with most located in the following areas: 1) 

 tributaries of the lower Clark Fork River; 2) tributaries of the North, Middle, and South Forks of 

 the Flathead River, 3) streams coming off the east front of the Rocky Mountains; and 4) the 

 Boulder River (Miller 1988, 1989, Kerr 1989, Carlson 1990, Fairman and Miller 1990, Diamond 

 and Finnegan 1992, 1993). 



During the breeding season Harlequins are found along fast mountain streams (Bengston 

 1966). In many areas Harlequins use streams with dense timber or shrubs on the banks (Cassirer 

 and Groves 1990), but they are also found in relatively open streams along the east slopes of the 

 Rocky Mountains, Montana (Markum and Center 1990, Diamond and Finnegan 1992) and the 

 Arctic tundra (Bengston 1972). In Idaho, 90% of observations occurred near old growth or 

 mature timber stands (Cassirer and Groves 1990). Mid-stream rocks, logs, islands, or stream-side 

 gravel bars serve as safe loafing sites and appear to be important habitat components. 



Most of the ducks arrive on their inland breeding areas in mid- April to early-May; 

 unmated males typically arrive before pairs (Kuchel 1977). The males return to the coast shortly 

 after the females begin incubation; most are gone by early July (Kuchel 1977). The females and 



