Another bird question

[phoebe]

This past Sunday the 14th as we came home from church we spotted two white birds in our slough that we have never seen here before. Perhaps someone else also saw them around 11:30 am or so. Before I could get my camera out they had flown away. They were mostly white with some black, (looked like a band of black) at the base of the neck area, some black on the head and a orangy bill sort of like that of a merganser. The size was larger then a Mallard, perhaps about the size of a small goose. It was just so noticable because is was so white. My husband, some of our kids and myself all took turns looking through my field guide but couldn't find the exact bird. Could somebody help. I keep hoping they'll come back (when I have my camera handy), so I'll keep an eye out the window.
Thanks

[Chris]

Two things I can think of off my top of my head is first a domestic goose, but they usually do not fly. I thought of that first, but like I said as far as I know, they do not fly. The other option would be a Snow Goose.

[Dave]

Hi phoebe

Your description makes me think of a male Common Merganser, certainly a good possibility this time of year in the slough in front of your place.

Dave