Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
ANATIDAE Members: Harlequin Duck 181
General Comments
The Harlequin Duck is the third of the three "jetty/pier" sea ducks (along with the two eiders) that occasionally occur in winter in North Carolina. Its numbers have been in between those of the Common Eider and the King Eider: casual to very rare winter visitor into the 1980's, a spike of records in the 1980's and 1990's, but a noticeable decline since the late 1990's, perhaps owing to a decline in the breeding population. However, there have been a good handful of records in recent years, more so than with the now very rare King Eider. It also is nearly restricted to the immediate coast, and is even more closely found around jetties and piers, where it often feeds on barnacles on these structures, than are the eiders. Unlike the eiders, there is a single far inland record in the state. Also, full-plumaged males are frequently seen in North Carolina waters.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SZ
Global Rank
G4
Coastal Plain
Rare winter visitor along the immediate coast, and very rare in estuarine waters of bays and sounds. Numerous records from the Wrightsville Beach (New Hanover) and Fort Macon SP (Carteret) areas, as well as farther north sites such as Oregon Inlet and Cape Hatteras (groins at the old lighthouse site). There are a few records away from the immediate coast, such as at the Cedar Island ferry terminal (Carteret), Pamlico Point impoundments and marshes (Pamlico), and Pamlico Sound near Swan Quarter (Hyde). Most notable was a "family group?" of four that seemed to move between Jennette's Pier in Nags Head (Dare) and the Duck (Dare) pier between 31 Dec 2023 - 29 Mar 2024, for a very rare overwintering record. There are no inland records from the province. Mainly mid-Nov to late Mar. One at Oregon Inlet on 2-5 Nov 2023 was quite early. A female that remained under the Oregon Inlet bridge all winter 2024-2025 was last seen on the late date of 8 Apr. Peak counts: 6, Oregon Inlet, 20 Feb - 10 Mar 2014; 5, Wrightsville Beach, 12 Feb 1994; 5, Masonboro Inlet, 17 Feb 1988; 5, Rodanthe (Dare), 22 Jan 1984.
Piedmont
Accidental; a single record, an immature male seen at Lake Brandt (Guilford) on 18 Feb 2007*, remaining for about a week (Chat 71:38); photos are on the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery.
Mountain
No records.
Finding Tips
The finding tips are essentially the same as for eiders. Look especially under the southern end of the Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet. The second best area for checking is probably the jetties at Wrightsville Beach. Also watch around the pilings at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head and at Johnnie Mercer Pier in Wrightsville Beach. Because the species is rather small, birds can be hard to spot among the crashing waves under piers and near jetties.