Female Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) incubate eggs and rear broods, while males normally depart the breeding grounds at the onset of incubation. On 27 July 2000, a male Harlequin Duck was observed in association with a female and brood of five ducklings on the Ikadlivik River in northern Labrador. The male maintained some distance (∼100 m) from the female and brood; however, upon appearance of a researcher, the group amalgamated and the male appeared to influence the behavior of the female and brood. Possible explanations for early male departure and this exception are discussed.