Harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus population structure in eastern Nearctic

Abstract

During May 1996 and April 1997, eight harlequin duck males were captured and fitted with satellite transmitters while migrating along the shores of Forillon National Park, Québec, Canada. Another 17 males were equipped with satellite transmitters in river systems of eastern Hudson Bay, Ungava Bay and northern Labrador in June 1997 and 1998. Our objectives were to determine relationships between breeding, moulting and wintering areas, and to determine whether distinct population segments existed among harlequin ducks in eastern North America. All birds tracked from Forillon migrated to Labrador. Moulting areas were identified for six birds. Forillon males were followed to the eastern North American major wintering site in Maine. Males captured in northern Québec and Labrador migrated to moult and winter in south‐western Greenland. Our data suggest the presence of two demographically distinct population segments in eastern North America, perhaps originating from the Pleistocene glacial refuge in western Greenland and south of the Laurentide ice sheet in eastern Canada or United States.

Distribution and Conservation of the Harlequin Duck, <em>Histrionicus histrionicus</em>, in Greenland

“…The wintering birds consist of the local breeding population (although no definite proof is available) and of the eastern Canadian breeding population. The latter were confirmed by a few signals in December to April from three birds equipped with satellite transmitters in 1998 (Brodeur et al 2002). It is uncertain, however, how many Canadian males actually winter in West Greenland.…”

Failure Time and Fate of Harlequin Ducks Implanted with Satellite Transmitters

“…The satellites lost track of one bird (03 in Brodeur et al . 2002) three d after release and the other (01 in Brodeur et al . 2002) was followed up to Grey Island, Newfoundland, where it was last located by telemetry on 16 October 1996.…”

Foreword

“…They winter in larger numbers in Greenland and Iceland. While the Greenland wintering population is thought to be linked to breeding populations in Canada (Brodeur et al 2002), Icelandic birds are thought to be resident to the island year-round (Gardarsson 2008). The Atlantic and Pacific populations are disjunct at all times of year.…”