Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) - 02Jan2014 & 14Dec2016

Named after a clownish character in theater in the 1500's, this uniquely patterned duck is annually found in NC but usually is a juvenile bird that has lost it's way.  The below couple were the stars of the show at Bonner Bridge in the OBX for several weeks in 2014.

Here is a nice breeding specimen from Massachusetts.