[mou] Unusual Redhead: Steele County

[Ken & Rebecca Vail]

On Saturday (4/16/05) morning I observed from the boat launch area at Rice 
Lake State Park (Steele Co.) an unusually colored Redhead.  All field marks 
including bill, head shape and body suggested Redhead except for the head 
color which I would describe unscientifically as "strawberry blonde."  The 
head color suggested Red-crested Pochard but had none of the black markings 
or other field marks.  This bird's head color contrasted sharply with the 
deep chestnut of the other Redheads with which it was swimming.

Any ideas?  Exotic, hybrid, or just an aberrant Redhead?

Ken Vail
Blooming Prairie, MN
krvail@myclearwave.net