Bufflehead: Duck on the Pond

A small duck swims across the pond on the Abbey farm — to my eyes, based on the small white oval patch on its head, a female or perhaps more likely, a juvenile Bufflehead.

(And these, the Sibley's guide says, are our smallest North American ducks...)

Bufflehead duck swimming on the Abbey pond, early morning. © SB 

For comparison, a pair of Bufflehead ducks - in different light,
in a different place... The male, at left, has much more white. © SB 

What are these? Bufflehead ducks
Location: Top: Near Muenster, SK; bottom: Wascana Lake, Regina, SK
Photo dates: Top: July 8, 2014; bottom: May 4, 2012.

~~~~~