Purple-headed mallard? (1 Viewer)

[thirtyguitars]

Howdy

I took several photos of this duck, it is obviously a mallard. The body is right, it even has a curly tail. But the head is purple, not green. How common is this with mallards?

Along with that, I photographed (although I can't find it, possibly deleted the file) a Northern Shoveler with a dark brown or purple head. It was hard to tell, as I was not focused on him, just happened to notice him in the photo. Is that common on the shovelers?

Aaron

 

[Tiraya]

Its an angle thing, I've seen it before as well on both mallards and green-winged teals. When this bird turned its head enough it was green again.

 

[thirtyguitars]

I was wondering if that is what it was. I couldn't find any reference to purple mallards online or in my guidebook.

 

[stonechat1]

Its an angle thing [...]

seconded

 

[Cheshire Birder]

A couple of American Wigeon in there also

CB