The Pacific Harlequin is the only duck in the world that divides its time between oceans and mountains.  It spends summers in turbulent mountain streams and winters in rocky coastal waters.  Weighing only 1 ½ pounds, a harlequin, 16-18” in length, is about half the size of a wild mallard.  The four letter code is HARL.

The handsome Hooded Merganser appears exclusively in North America, unlike other Mergansers.  At 16-19” it is one of our most beautiful waterfowl.  This duck’s thin spike-like bill with saw-like teeth and crested head give it a distinct profile.

Looking a bit like, “a casual, unkempt teenager with a spiky ‘punk cut’ crest,” (Dunne, 2006), the male Red-breasted Merganser strikes a bold appearance when in its alternate, breeding plumage.