Harlequin Duck Research Paper

The Harlequin Duck is one of the many organisms on the Canadian endangered species list. Although the number of Harlequin Ducks is gradually growing and the ducks have been spotted in different regions of Canada. Harlequin Ducks are small, subarctic sea ducks that weigh an average of 1.3lbs and can be up to 18 inches in height. The bright colours of the males attract the females. They tend to nest and breed on fast moving streams. The ducks first time breeding is when they are 2 or 3 years old. The females have clutches of 3 to 8 creamy white eggs. Although the Harlequin Duck has a low reproduction rate so they have a harder time coming back from a decline in their population.

An adult male Harlequin Duck is called a drake from afar it looks dark, but has colorful patches. Its body is plump with a blue hue on it, chesnut coloured sides and streaks of white on its head and body. The females are more of a brownish-grey with small patches of white around its eyes. The babies resemble the mother until fall of the first year, when the young male ducks begin to resemble the adult males. The babies only become full size until the next winter. Harlequin Ducks spend the vast majority of the year in coastal marine environments, but they move more inland in the spring to breed along fast-flowing tempestuous rivers. During winter the …show more content…
Although hunting of Harlequin Ducks has been prohibited, the birds still are extremely vulnerable due to their tameness and their tendency to feed close to shore. Destruction and tampering with their habitats is another factor that has contributed to their decline in population. Some of the fast-flowing tempestuous rivers have also been altered by things like mining, hydro, and other human activities. These factors have impacted the duck’s breeding and wintering grounds as well as their food supply immensely. Oil spills and pollution have also affected their wintering