[sharper]

I haven't found this duck with this head mark in my books but thought maybe it is a female common goldeneye variation? Pat Bay, Vancouver Island... there were lots of males around but this was the only female I saw. Thanks for your input, Susan

[Flight]

That would be my guess too...

[LoganLalonde]

I think this is either a juvenile or female Barrow's Goldeneye.

[Lynxear]

The pink spot above the bill and the bill itself does not seem right when I compare it to my pictures ...so I cast my vote to female Common Goldeneye variant

[DavidWong]

I do not know what to make of the spot at the base of the beak. I agree this probably is a female Common Goldeneye. The beak of the female Common Goldeneye is mostly dark, compared to that of the female Barrow’s Goldeneye, which is mostly yellow.

David Wong

[Lynxear]

It sort of looks like a "dappler" bill to me.

[SueCoastalObserver]

Could it be a scar rather than a colour variation?

[sharper]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I found this info: http://www.ec.gc.ca/Publications/875FC2 ... amph_e.pdf

I also include here a picture showing its wings. Comparing to the pdf document, although able to explain the aberration patch on its bill, I concur with the id of Common Goldeneye:

[esle9]

I think that spot above the bill is just an bald area, it could be caused by mites or from a fight.
I agree with Common Goldeneye.