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Harlequin Duck
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Habitat and behaviour
Habitat: Fast rivers (very rare vagrant).
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates.
Best time to spot: Male's striking pattern.
When to look
A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in Rare birds in the UK.
How rare is it?
The Harlequin Duck sits in our Legendary tier for the UK: a major rarity, where any record is big news. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- BuffleheadLegendary · Lakes (very rare vagrant)
- American BitternLegendary · Reedbeds (very rare vagrant)
- American CootLegendary · Lakes (very rare vagrant)
- Belted KingfisherLegendary · Rivers (rare vagrant)
- Black-faced BuntingLegendary · Coastal scrub (very rare vagrant)
- Brown FlycatcherLegendary · Coastal scrub (very rare vagrant)
Kit that helps
Bird ID starter kit. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.
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