#: 60-B-10

Rare Bird Report Harlequin Duck

Location: Coeur d'Alene Lake
Observation date: 2/17/10
Notes: observer familiar with harlequins.
Number of species: 1

Harlequin Duck - Histrionicus histrionicus 1 swimming (and diving)
near shore at Bennet bay, CDA lake, Kootenai County, ID.
Smaller duck, larger than bufflehead nearby, with a round white spot
behind its eye and white between the eye and the small dark bill,
above and below the bill.  Tail was upright.  Back, wings and tail
upper surfaces were all dark when it flew. Either a wintering
individual or early migrant?  I am familiar with this species as a
pair "loafed" on my lawn at Deep Creek Idaho two years in a row
several years back and from seeing juveniles floating down the
Kootenai River in July - August.  No photo.
Paul Sieracki Priest River, Bonner County, ID
208.448.2790