Need help ID'ing a duck and 1 other western NY bird (1 Viewer)

[tjmorral]

Hi Everyone,

I've just recently gotten into birding and I'm having a blast doing it. Although I'm really working on my bird ID skills, I've seen a couple of recent birds that have me stumped. Both were spotted this week around the Rochester, NY, area.

The first one is a bird I saw perched in a tree with open fields on one side and thick brush on the other. I'd like to say it's a shrike, but I don't think I'm right.

The other is a black-headed duck I saw today at the Charlotte pier on Lake Ontario. It was swimming with a dozen or so mallards.

Photos of both are attached. Not great quality pics, but if you could help me out, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Larry Lade]

First is a mallard, of sorts. Get all kinds of mixed hybirds with these sometimes.
Second is an American Goldfinch.

 

[tjmorral]

Thanks, Larry -- I really appreciate the help. I would never have guessed either of those IDs. Guess I need to focus on improving my non-typical ID skills.