Skip to main content

Get Involved
Get eNews
Donate
Donate

Birds
Live Cams
Courses
Merlin Bird ID

Donate
Donate

Harlequin Duck Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
British Columbia, October 31, 1962Recorded by Grace M. Bell / Macaulay Library
Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
British Columbia, October 31, 1962Recorded by Grace M. Bell / Macaulay Library
Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
Alberta, May 28, 1970Recorded by William W. H. Gunn / Macaulay Library
Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
Alberta, May 28, 1970Recorded by William W. H. Gunn / Macaulay Library
Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
British Columbia, October 31, 1962Recorded by Grace M. Bell / Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Calls

Quite vocal for a sea duck. The common vocalization is a mouselike squeak, which can vary in frequency and intensity.

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Compare the Bufflehead Breeding male to the Harlequin Duck

Compare the Bufflehead Female to the Harlequin Duck

Compare the Surf Scoter Breeding male to the Harlequin Duck

Compare the Surf Scoter Female to the Harlequin Duck

Compare the Common Goldeneye Immature male to the Harlequin Duck

Common Goldeneye

Compare the Long-tailed Duck Nonbreeding male and female to the Harlequin Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Looking for ID Help?

Our free app offers quick ID help with global coverage.

Try Merlin Bird ID

Species in This Family

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Greater White-fronted Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Blue-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler

Eurasian Wigeon

American Wigeon

American Black Duck

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Ring-necked Duck

Steller's Eider

Spectacled Eider

White-winged Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Common Goldeneye

Barrow's Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read

How to Recognize Duck Courtship Displays
The Best Affordable Compact Binoculars (8x32): Our Review
A bird keeps flying into my window or car mirror, on purpose. What should I do?
Living Bird MagazineNature Journaling and Sketching: Tips for Birders
I’m seeing fewer birds in my yard. Is something affecting their populations?
NestWatchRight Bird, Right House: Guide to Birds and Birdhouses for Your Region

About Us
Citizen Science
Lifelong Learning
Publications
Explore More
Support Our Cause

Contact Us
Web Accessibility Assistance
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
Site Credits

Follow us

© 2025 Cornell University

Search for species name or keywords

Or Browse Bird Guide by Family or Shape

Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin

Don't miss a thing! Join our email list

The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.