Near Kooskia in Idaho County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
"Harlies" Ride the River
The Elusive Harlequin Duck
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 16, 2026
1. "Harlies" Ride the River Marker
Harlequin duck pairs live on the exposed rocky Pacific Northwest seacoast for most of the year. In the spring you may see the colorful male duck here along the Lochsa River.
Like the salmon, and steelhead, they migrate 600-miles inland to rushing mountain streams to nest and raise their young. The secretive hen is an expert at hiding her nest in the bushes and boulders along the stream banks. After she lays the eggs, the male promptly abandons her and returns to the coast where the pair later reunites.
When the ducklings hatch, they quickly tumble down from their stream bank nest into the safety of the river. The young harlequins immediately maneuver through rapids and rough surf like skilled boaters. Their large, powerful feet propel them through turbulent water.
What Can You Do For Harlequin Ducks?
The Pacific populations of Harlequin ducks are declining due to over hunting, oil pollution, loss of nesting habitat, degraded stream areas, and disturbance from recreational activities.
Please help protect their nesting sites by avoiding boat or shoreline use along
this page online
Appreciate your rare opportunity to see there ducks.
Erected by Bureau of Land Management.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Natural Resources.
Location. 46° 20.091′ N, 115° 20.658′ W. Marker is near Kooskia, Idaho, in Idaho County. It is on Highway 12 at milepost 122 near 462, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kooskia ID 83539, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho — Idaho’s Panhandle. It is also in the American Mountain West, specifically in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lochsa River Neighborhood (here, next to this marker); ..."this horrible mountainous desert" (a few steps from this marker); The Lolo Trail
Photographed by Ducks Unlimited
2. Harlequin Ducks, (Histrionicus histrionicus)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 16, 2026
3. "Harlies" Ride the River Marker
Marker on the left
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
