ID Help for a Duck and Backyard Bird

[Walter Sobchak]

Hello, I'm new here, and new into the world of birding.  I have two birds that I'm having trouble Identifying.  My apologies for the poor camera work.

#1.  On Saturday I was watching a Junco in the same tree when this guy popped in to pick at the cones, hopping around and even hanging  upside down.




#2.  Today I was at the old canal in Dundas, and among the Mallards there was one Duck that was a good deal larger with a burgundy head, bright yellow bill, and a light back.  I'm thinking it's a type of domestic duck, but I want to make sure.

[GStuart]

Your small bird appears to be a Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Your duck doesn't appear to be any wild duck with which I am familiar, so will hazard the guess that it is a hybrid cross between a domestic duck and a mallard.  Or at least something with genes from those two - perhaps having three mallard grandparents and one domestic one.

[Walter Sobchak]

Thank you, A Domestic X Mallard eh?  Interesting, that would explain the size and colouring.  I have two ID books, and nothing in them came close.  The Golden-crowned Kinglet makes sense, I should've known, I saw a bunch in a different location later that day, even got a pic.