Northern Alberta Birding Hotline

Bluish-purple headed duck with slight neck ring, mottled brown/white body, dark area above rump with thin white edge. Dark bill. Really looked like a royal blue/purple headed Mallard. What is this? The head was a really beautiful brilliant color right down to the very narrow barely visible neck ring. Any thoughts? Female was pretty much brown. I don't recall the eye, but think it was dark. If it had been a bright yellow I think I would have remembered. Also saw a brownish songbird that resembled a Meadowlark, had blackish eyebrows and tearstains down it's face. Had 3 black splotches on upper chest. Threw its head back to sing. Had longish tail. What bird is this? Thanks for any feedback!