I caught up with this duck at a small local pond this morning. He was with a single white duck and a single mallard and the three seemed to be great friends.
Any idea what it is? I've never seen anything like it here in Missouri before. It's body was a mix of white and grey feathers with orange and grey on its feet. ( I do have some additional photos of the whole body if that will help - I just thought the cap of feathers on the head would be the best indication of what it is...)
Looks like a hybrid to me.
My guess is that is a female. The head feathers were probably pulled on by the male during breading, in order to keep her from escaping.
James
James, I've been back several times to see this duck and it still has that same crest. I really think it's possible that it's the cross of the two other birds (one white domestic and one partial mallard). It's been interesting to watch it to say the least. They are exceptionally friendly and unskittish around me - coming right up on the rocks and taking naps near my bag of camera gear.