The Breeding Status and Distribution

of Harlequin Ducks in Oregon

A Summary of Observations and Survey Efforts

This article appeared in OREGON BIRDS, the journal of the Oregon Field Ornithologists. It may be cited as:

DOWLAN, S. 1996. The breeding status and distribution of Harlequin Ducks in Oregon: a summary of observations and survey efforts. Oregon Birds 22:42-47

The breeding status of Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) in western Oregon has remained uncertain since Gabrielson and Jewett listed three definite breeding records in the 1940 publication of Birds of Oregon. Two of the records were of broods seen in the Wallowa Mountains, and the third was of eggs collected by Jewett on the ZigZag River in Clackamas County. Despite this paucity of confirmed breeding records, the authors concluded their entry on breeding records of the "western" Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus pacifica) in Oregon by stating "Undoubtably, this beautiful little inhabitant of the mountain streams nests through the Cascades in suitable localities and more records will be procured as the number of bird students increases."

More about Oregon's Harlequin Ducks

Streams and tributaries in Oregon with Harlequin Duck sightings

Photographs of a drake at Bob Creek on the Lane County Coast

Photographs of a Harlequin pair near Yellowbottom Recreation Site, Linn County

Photographs of a young Harlequin brood at Fishermen's Bend Rec. Site, Marion County

How could anyone not love Harlequin Ducks? I became intrigued with this lovely bird in 1991, when, oddly enough, the BLM hired me to look for Spotted Owls. The supervising biologist mentioned that there were only a few sightings for the district, and that I should "keep an eye out for them." I did keep an eye out for them every time I was near a river in the woods, and did found some. Since then I've conducted annual surveys on two rivers and assisted with survey and banding projects for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

I'm always interested in learning more... if you have sightings in Oregon, especially south of the Santiam basin, please do contact me at: OWLHOOTER@AOL.COM