Researchers Seek Sightings of Rare Harlequin Duck

California researchers are actively seeking public assistance to locate the rare harlequin duck, a distinctive waterfowl seldom seen in the Sierra Nevada. Historically known to winter in Northern California’s high country, this duck species has seen very few reported sightings, with a 2008 study estimating only about 10 individuals in the region at that time.

The University of California, Davis, has launched a new initiative to build upon the scant knowledge of the harlequin duck’s presence and nesting habits in the Sierra. Bird enthusiasts are already buzzing at recent sightings along the Northern and Central California coasts, which have reignited interest in the bird’s elusive population. Residents can report any sightings through an assembled webpage, fostering community engagement in this crucial conservation effort.

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