Barrow’s Goldeneye is one of our Northwest winter specialties. It winters in Pacific coastal waters from Kodiak, AK to Puget Sound with smaller numbers south to northern California. Birders traveling to the Pacific Northwest are anxious to see this striking duck.

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.

Common Goldeneyes are very fast fliers.  They have been clocked at speeds over 30 mph (Eadie et al).  The “Whistler” as it is commonly known, has wing beats so rapid they make a metallic whistling sound during flight.

The long, spoon-shaped bill gives this small duck a front-heavy look.  It is about 19” long and the four letter code is NOSH.  When swimming, it sits low with the bill angled toward the water.  The males’ belly and sides are rufous with a pale blue patch on the forewing, green head and white breast.

The Canvasback stands out from the crowd.  Its stately presence separates it from other ducks.  It has been called “the aristocrat of ducks” (Mobray), and “elegant” (Alderfer).  Its large size, sloping forehead and characteristic “dark at both ends and white in the middle” appearance (Bell and Kennedy) make it easy to pick out of a group of other ducks.