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 [email protected]
