@Dimitrios: I use "The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America" published by Audubon, and "Birds of North America; A guide to field identification" published by Golden. Both use illustrations and detailed descriptions of field marks and behavior, which I find much more helpful than photographs.

Cheers

@Dan Meyers: Thanks Dan. This bird went through quite an array of "look what I can do poses". More to come.

@Helen: Thanks Helen. This bird is full of odd contortions, seemingly in a grooming competition with a female mallard just out of frame. I'll post more of him later.

Cheers.

@Evie Sears: Thank you. I almost cropped it to a portrait, so your composition comment is very helpful.