Harlequin ducks are a beautiful and unique species of waterfowl that originate in the northern regions of North America, Iceland, Greenland and northeastern Asia. With their striking patterns of blues, whites, and chestnut-brown, Harlequin ducks stand out among other duck species. While they may be eye-catching, Harlequin ducks are not commonly kept as pets. Their natural wildness, as well as legal restrictions, means that few people have had the chance to own one. For those interested, though, Harlequin ducks can cost between $300-$800 depending on age, region, and other factors.
Quick Facts on Harlequin Duck Costs
- Wild adult Harlequin ducks cannot be legally sold, only captive-bred juveniles can be purchased
- Prices range from $300 for young ducklings to $800 for older juveniles nearly able to mate
- Most breeders are found in Europe where regulations are less strict than North America
- Care, housing, feed costs are high – estimate $50-100 per month for one duck
- Owning wild ducks requires permits and licenses in most regions
As beautiful as Harlequin ducks are, they have never been domesticated and remain a wild species. Harlequins are wary and easily stressed by human presence, though some individuals can become accustomed to caretakers. Their natural habitat near fast-moving streams and rough coastal waters also makes traditional captivity challenging. For these reasons, Harlequin duck ownership is rare, tightly regulated, and requires specific housing setups to meet their needs.
Legal Restrictions on Harlequin Duck Ownership
In countries like the United States and Canada, it is illegal to capture, sell or own wild adult Harlequin ducks. Only reputable waterfowl breeders who have obtained captive-bred juveniles can sell them, and only to buyers properly licensed. Both federal and state/provincial laws protect the species from poaching and unregulated trade. Violators can face fines up to $15,000 and jail time.
In Europe, laws are somewhat more relaxed, allowing the existing captive Harlequin population to be bred and sold. Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and the UK are home to the most Harlequin duck breeders on the continent. However, owners must still be verified and registered through a licensing process in their country.
Typical Laws and Regulations
- Cannot take eggs, juveniles or adults from the wild
- Breeders must be registered and inspected for proper facilities
- Buyers must prove qualifications to care for ducks and secure housing
- Veterinary exams, state health certificates required prior to any sale
- Microchip ID, leg bands mandatory for all captive ducks
- Permits often needed to transport Harlequins across state/province lines
Before seeking to purchase any Harlequin duck, exhaustive research into national and local laws is a must. Even captive-bred ducks usually require permits and licensing at multiple levels to own legally.
Typical Purchase Prices
For those able to navigate the legal landscape, buying a Harlequin duck will not be cheap. Prices typically range from $300 up to $800 depending on the age and fertility of the bird:
- Ducklings – $300 to $500 for birds less than 4 weeks old. High mortality rates at this age.
- Juveniles – $400 to $600 for 1 to 6 month old ducks beyond the delicate duckling stage.
- Yearlings – $700 to $800 for ducks over 1 year but not yet sexually mature.
In most cases, only ducklings and juveniles are available for sale. Mature adult ducks over 2 years of age are rarely sold, and usually only to established breeders or waterfowl collections.
The high cost of Harlequin ducks reflects their rarity in captivity, difficulty of breeding, and modest demand among waterfowl enthusiasts. Less than a thousand may be available for sale worldwide in any given year.
Factors Influencing Price
- Age – Older juveniles cost more than ducklings due to lower mortality rates.
- Fertility Status – Proven fertile pairs for breeding cost more.
- Bloodlines – Birds from rare genetic lines tend to increase cost.
- Source Country – European-bred Harlequins often cost more than North American.
- Shipping – Buyer pays all transport fees to final destination.
- Documentation – Licensing and veterinary costs may be included or separate.
Both scarcity and substantial expense means Harlequin ducks are primarily sought by specialty waterfowl collectors and breeders. Individual pet owners rarely take on the costs and challenges of keeping the high-maintenance ducks.
Estimated Care and Housing Costs
The initial purchase price of Harlequin ducks represents just a fraction of their overall cost of care. Their specialized needs and tendency to suffer stress and injury in captivity requires significant investment to house them appropriately. Total average monthly costs range from $50 to over $100 per duck.
Housing
A secure, specialized habitat is required to meet Harlequin’s unique needs:
- Minimum single enclosure size of 100 sq ft, larger for pairs
- Double fenced to prevent escapes
- Ponds or flowing waterways to allow swimming and diving
- Sheltered nesting boxes, hiding spots
- Protected from predators (wire roofing, dig barriers)
- Natural vegetation, rocks, logs to replicate wild habitat
For most owners, the ideal is a custom-built enclosed pond area with landscaping and stream. Expect high 5 to 6 figure construction costs or expensive modification of existing wetlands.
Feeding
Harlequins have specialized diets in the wild, eating insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish. In captivity they require:
- High protein gamebird feed mixes
- Supplements of live insects and crustaceans
- Access to tubifex worms, minnows or trout pellets
- Fresh greens, berries, seeds
Feeding Harlequins a varied diet across food groups can cost $40 to $60 per month.
Other Costs
- Veterinary expenses for checkups and illness
- Enrichment toys and activities
- Licensing fees and permits
- Caretaking if owner travels
- Mortality expenses (common in first year)
These extra costs can add $50 or more per month per duck. Harlequin ownership is certainly not cheap!
Finding Harlequin Duck Breeders
Locating quality breeders is crucial yet challenging when sourcing Harlequin ducks. Asking local waterfowl groups and specialists for referrals is the best starting point. Also check bird breeder directories and associations online and in print.
Look for these positive signs when evaluating potential Harlequin duck sellers:
- Long, established reputation in waterfowl breeding and sales
- Knowledgeable about Harlequin duck natural history and care
- Legal licensing and inspected facilities on file
- Provides detailed information on birds’ origins
- ducklings, juveniles only – no adult sales
- Can provide references from past buyers
Avoid breeders who seem vague on regulations, offer wild-caught adults, or lack proper registrations. Patience and care is needed to find an ethical, high-quality supplier.
Top Countries to Find Breeders
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Poland
- United Kingdom
- Canada
Online auction sites may also have juvenile Harlequins listed from registered sellers. However, in-person inspections are recommended before purchasing.
Conclusion
For waterfowl enthusiasts able to meet the strict requirements, keeping Harlequin ducks can be an incredibly rewarding experience. But their purchase and care is certainly not cheap or simple. Beyond the $300 to $800 price for juveniles, owners must invest considerable money and effort into specialized housing to keep the wild ducks healthy and stress-free. Ongoing monthly costs for feed, veterinary care and other expenses can surpass $100 per bird.
Setting up the proper enclosures is so expensive that mainly specialty collectors and breeders pursue Harlequin ownership. The challenges of taming wild-born ducks and managing their intricate needs also limit interest to avian specialists only. With few breeders worldwide, finding healthy birds takes careful research and networking within the waterfowl trade.
But for those with the resources and dedication to properly house Harlequins andreplicate their natural Northern habitat, owning the beautiful ducks can certainly provide enjoyment and breeding success. Connecting with majestic wildlife and sustaining rare bloodlines makes the costs worthwhile for devoted waterfowl keepers. Yet more casual owners should carefully weight if pet store ducks may better suit their budgets and lifestyles before seeking Harlequins.