40 Birds With Red Eyes of The World (with Pictures)

Red eyes can be common on birds throughout the year or a mark of their breeding season.

Specific species change their plumage and the color of their eyes going into the breeding season.

Red eyes are mostly an attribute of males but plenty of species show different red eye nuances both for males and females.

In most cases, birds are born with darker eyes and turn to red eyes when they reach their adult breeding periods.

Some birds with red eyes are widespread and migrate around the world. Others only live in remote islands and face extinction.

Here are some of the typical species where different red nuances make their eyes stand out.

1. Red-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) are named after their red eyes. These small birds of The Americas show a dark red iris with a black line that runs from the beak to the eyes.

Mostly olive above and white below, The Red-eyed Vireo is a species that shows an interest in singing.

By some considerations, Red-eyes Vireos are the most exhibiting species when it comes to hundreds and thousands of songs per day.

Growing up to 5.1 inches, the bird is seen in flocks where its Northernmost populations may show the tendency to migrate South to overwinter.

These small birds with red eyes can even travel from North to South America to overwinter.

Much of their lives in spend together with birds of other species up on trees. They can even migrate with other species before moving back together for breeding.

Distribution – North America, Central America, South America

Red eyes nuance – dark red

2. Wood Duck

Wood Duck

Much of the multicolored appearance of the multicolored male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is influenced by its breeding season.

There’s a clear difference in the plumage and eye color of male and female Wood Ducks.

Males have red eyes while females have black eyes. The area around the male’s eyes is iridescent green which means they tend to stand out even more.

While the plumage of males may darken outside the breeding season, their eyes remain red.

A red-brown throat, and blue, and metallic green plumage make male Wood Ducks some of the most colorful types of birds in North America.

One of the best times to spot the red-eyed male is during the breeding season when it calls females.

Distribution – Eastern United States, US West Coast, Mexico

Red eyes nuance – vivid red

3. Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhees (Pipilo maculatus) are present across North America, especially in its Southwestern parts.

A constant presence in California’s chaparral as well as in the forests of nearby states, this species shows red eyes both for males and females.

The small bird has a black head and black upperparts which may not make the eyes easy to spot at first.

White and black underparts contrast the dark upper appearance of this species.

Most of their lives are spent on the ground where the bird forages across many dry territories.

Distribution – Western North America, Southwestern North America

Red eyes nuance – dark red

4. White-winged Dove

White-winged Dove

White-winged Doves (Zenaida asiatica) are still a large presence in The Americas. Much of their presence is tied to saguaro cacti, a source of nutrition for these doves.

The spread of the cacti plus the emergence of industrialized agriculture led to a revitalization of this species.

Adult White-winged Doves are identified by their red eyes which are bordered by a blue skin patch that makes them stand out even more.

These types of doves live in very large flocks across the Southern deserts and they can migrate to crops, becoming a considerable pest.

Some of the crops they settle on include grain crops as they mostly eat grains, with occasional stops on saguaro cacti.

Distribution – California to Florida in The US, Central America, The Caribbean

Red eyes nuance – dark red

5. Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

Red eyes are specific to the singing male and female Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). Dark red eyes are seen on these birds throughout their adult lives.

Males show a black head while females have a red-brown with brighter general plumage.

Seen across the Eastern US states, The Eastern Towhee is a migratory species.

Also found in New York up until the fall, the species migrates South to overwinter. Most flocks never fly past Texas before moving back in the spring.

Most of their lives are spent on the ground or just above the ground as this species doesn’t like to move up trees.

Distribution – Eastern and Southern US

Red eyes nuance – dark red

6. Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

A widespread duck of The Northern Hemisphere, this species (Mergus serrator) stands out with its crest and red eyes.

Only males have bright red eyes and females have darker eyes.

Ducks of this species live in the Northern parts of The Northern Hemisphere and migrate to coastal regions of North America and Europe to overwinter.

Apart from the highly contrasting eyes of the male, Red-breasted Mergansers are also the fastest ducks in the world.

The species can fly at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. This allows it to reach long destinations faster, making its way around The Northern Hemisphere as a long-flight migrator.

Distribution – North America, Greenland, Europe, Northern Asia, East Asia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

7. Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) are named after their enlarged bills and their pink colors.

These large birds also have bright red eyes. Their heads and necks are mostly white while their wings show varying shades of pink ranging from bright pink to magenta.

Pink to red coloring is also specific to their legs.

Much of the presence of Roseate Spoonbills is tied to freshwater and coastal waters where it feeds using its elongated bill.

These birds are also present in the Southeastern US states. A growing number of populations are reported across Florida, with a tendency to move upstate as the water level changes.

Distribution – South America, Central America, Southeastern US

Red eyes nuance – bright red

8. Cinnamon Teal

Cinnamon Teal

Male and female Cinnamon Teal ducks (Spatula cyanoptera) are identified by their different plumage and eye coloring.

Red eyes are specific to males which is a trait they are born with. Even juvenile males have red eyes, despite having plumage similar to females at first.

These ducks have a cinnamon red-brown color in the case of males. The color is also specific to their heads, which means it’s closer to the red nuance of the eyes.

Gray and black nuances are specific to female and juvenile plumage.

Both males and females rely on small insects they can find on water or in water. Mollusks are also a large part of their diet.

Distribution – Western North America, Central America, Eastern South America

Red eyes nuance – bright red

9. Eared Grebe

Eared Grebe

Eared Grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) are a type of water bird with bright red eyes. Their eyes are always red, regardless of the season.

The same can’t be said about their plumage which varies considerably according to season.

Mostly known for its ocher-chestnut plumage in the breeding season, this species is a known presence on very large lakes around the world in the winter and even out at sea.

Males, females, and juveniles all show red eyes with the early-day juveniles having orange-red eyes.

As they mature, male adults become black and ochre on the body and on the head, which is also black and ochre.

Distribution – Eastern North America, Northern Central America, coastal areas of Europe, coastal North Africa, South Africa, East Africa, Asia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

10. Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebes (Podiceps auritus) are waterbirds with red eyes. Males, females, and even juveniles show vivid red eyes.

This is a species with considerable plumage variation going in and out of the breeding season.

Much of the year is marked by a contrasting black-and-white appearance. The plumage of the species changes to brown and black in the breeding season.

Thick head plumage and contrasting black and yellow colors are seen around the bright red eyes of the species.

Much of the presence of Horned Grebes in North America is tied to Canada where they live on lakes, marshes, and rivers.

These birds can also live in bays and on lakes that are far from the coast.

Distribution – Canada, Alaska, Northern Europe, Northern Russia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan

Red eyes nuance – bright red

11. Western Grebe

Western Grebe

Feeding on various fish, The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is a constant presence in Western North America.

These waterbirds are found on lakes, even inland lakes. They also inhabit coastal areas and are known for their vivid red eyes.

Black and white plumage is mostly characteristic of The Western Grebe.

Black and gray upper parts are contrasted by a white neck and underbelly.

Western Grebes are easy to spot during the breeding season. These birds have elaborate breeding habits.

Courting males and females are seen moving together along the water and flapping their wings before breeding.

Distribution – North American West Coast, US Western States, Southwestern Canada, Western Mexico

Red eyes nuance – bright red

12. Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

The Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) is one of the most common birds with red eyes in The Arctic.

Mostly red eyes are seen on males while females and juveniles have black eyes.

Gray, black, and white plumage is seen on breeding males which also show a rusty-red patch on their necks, as the name of the species implies.

Black and white colors dominate the plumage of the non-breeding Red-throated Loon.

Its juveniles have a uniform charcoal color.

This species is present in its breeding range along the Arctic. It moves South to coastal areas to overwinter but it remains in The Northern Hemisphere.

Distribution – Northern, Eastern, and Western parts of North America, Northern and Western Europe, Northern and Eastern Asia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

13. Pacific Loon

Pacific Loon

A species of The Northern Pacific, The Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) is known for its red eyes and dark plumage.

Black and gray plumage dominate the appearance of the species, together with white sections.

Much of the range of this species is impacted by its breeding season and wintertime. It lives on tundra lakes but moves out at sea to overwinter.

Its migration period is the time when hundreds of birds can be spotted in the same place.

This species also has distinct ark-ark vocalizations, specific to the breeding period and the migration period.

The bird remains at sea or around the coast until returning to its deep lakes in the spring.

Distribution – Northern Canada, North American West Coast, Northeast Asia

Red eyes nuance – dark red

14. Snail Kite

Snail Kite

Plumage and eye color mark the most visible differences between male and female Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis).

This South American species is known for its deep red eyes specific to males. Blue-gray plumage is specific to males.

Females have black eyes and are mostly covered in brown plumage.

This species is mostly sedentary but Snail Kites in the Northern and Southern limits of its area are known to migrate.

This species mainly like tropical forests but its US presence is confirmed in Florida.

Distribution – tropical South America, Cuba, Florida, Mexico

Red eyes nuance – dark red

15. Gray-headed Swamphen

Gray-headed Swamphen

Once known as The Purple Swamphen, The Gray-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a species with red eyes.

The top of its head is mostly red, as is its beak. Blue and purple colors are further specific to the species.

A large species of bird with red eyes, the Gray-headed Swamphen lives in marshes and other types of water areas with vegetation.

The species is native to Asia but it has been successfully introduced around The Caspian Sea and in Florida.

Its presence is also tied to the 1992 Hurricane Andrew which may have released it from captivity.

Birds of this species are found around South Florida marshes with an estimated number of a few thousand individuals.

Distribution – India, Pakistan, Turkey, Southeastern Florida

Red eyes nuance – dark red

16. American Coot

American Coot

American Coots (Fulica americana) are dark wetland birds of North America. Red eyes are specific to these birds.

Males and females have similar appearances. Additional head plumage is specific to the male.

The coloring of the species shows small differences going into the breeding season. Its black plumage can show a blue tint, depending on the season.

Red crowns and red eyes are also specific to the juveniles of the species.

American Coot Juveniles show orange plumes, a type of plumage variation seen on a few wetland species.

Lakes, ponds, and marshes across North America are the home of the species.

Some of its favorite overwintering locations include Southeastern US states and Western Mexico.

Distribution – Canada, United States, Central America

Red eyes nuance – dark red

17. White-winged Chough

White-winged Chough

A mostly black appearance is contrasted by the red eyes of The White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos).

This species has a black head with a black beak and dark red eyes.

Its upper back is black, as is its underbelly. The wings of the species are mostly black, with dew dorsal brown feathers.

The underwings of the species show white feathers while its elongated tail is mostly black.

Large numbers of White-winged Chough are seen in its native range due to its communal living.

This is a trait carried over to its breeding habits as the White-winged Chough nests are communal where all birds help raise the young.

Distribution – Eastern Australia

Red eyes nuance – dark red

18. Metallic Starling

Metallic Starling

Deep red eyes are specific to the dark Metallic Starling (Aplonis metallica). This species has a dark green color with a black appearance when seen from a considerable distance.

Its red eyes tend to stand out more considering its dark plumage.

Juveniles of the species are the only Metallic Starlings to have a bright appearance as they’re dominated by white, gray, and brown.

As adults, the juveniles of the species also have red eyes.

Most of these birds are found in Australia and nearby territories where they are known as a sedentary species.

Birds of this genus are still known to migrate. The migration of Metallic starlings in some years may be tied to finding a suitable and safe nesting spot.

Distribution – Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands

Red eyes nuance – bright red

19. Sardinian Warbler

Sardinian Warbler

A multicolored warbler, The Sardinian Warbler (Curruca melanocephala) is among the species that show specific red eye coloring.

Its eyes have a brown-red nuance seen both in males and females.

Plumage differences are specific to The Sardinian Warbler. Males have a black head and a black beak with contrasting yellow throats.

They show a gray-brown upper nuance and a gray underbelly.

Females have a gray-black head, a yellow-gray back, and wings, with a bright underbelly. Brown and gray nuances differ across the 5 Sardinian Warbler Subspecies.

Most Sardinian Warbler populations aren’t migratory with just a few of them moving over to Africa from Europe.

Distribution – Mediterranean regions of Europe and Africa

Red eyes nuance – brown red

20. Papuan Frogmouth

Papuan Frogmouth

Red eyes are specific to The Papua Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis). The red eyes of the species are difficult to spot given The Papuan Frogmouth is nocturnal.

Only coming out at night for food, the bird is specialized in finding insects and other small reptiles to feed on.

Named after its main native range in New Guinea, this bird is also found on smaller nearby islands.

It stands out with the capacity to attract insects at night without much effort.

Unlike most nocturnal predators, The Papua Frogmouth uses mouth secretions to attract flies to itself rather than chasing them around.

The bird can sometimes be heard calling at night, typically just before sunrise.

Distribution – Papua New Guinea, Aru Islands

Red eyes nuance – bright red

21. Black-shouldered Kite

Black-shouldered Kite

Adult Black-shouldered Kites (Elanus axillaris) have red eyes.

Predatory birds of this family show a white head, white underbellies, and a darker gray and black back and wings.

Juvenile Black-shouldered Kites have black eyes. Plumage varies on the young as well as they are mostly gray, with a white face and a yellow neck.

Birds of this species are avid predators and may even look for prey in pairs.

They turn back to solitary hunting whenever food sources are scarce. A highly aggressive predator, The Black-shouldered Kite asserts dominance in a territory by flicking its tail.

Since it eats mice, this species is generally seen as beneficial on crops and around farms.

Distribution – Australia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

22. Bronzed Cowbird

Bronzed Cowbird

Male Bronzed Cowbirds (Molothrus aeneus) have vivid red eyes while females have brown eyes.

Growing to a size of almost 8 inches, the male Bronzed Cowbirds switch from brown to red eyes during the breeding season.

In a species with glossy black plumage, the male may attract a female faster with its red eyes.

Females turn parasitic after breeding as they lay eggs in the nests of other species.

Sparrows nests are among the first chosen to lay eggs. The juveniles of Bronzed Cowbirds tend to leave the nest fast, often faster than the host species.

Distribution – Southern US, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama

Red eyes nuance – bright red

23. Red Wattlebird

Red Wattlebird

An Australian native, The Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) grows into an adult appearance with red eyes. As juveniles, these birds have brown eyes.

Once they reach adulthood their eyes become red. With its brown and gray plumage, this is among the species that have a different crest as the top of their head is black.

Red Wattlebirds have long brown tails and are generally aggressive toward other people.

A common species in captivity, these birds should only be raised among their own.

Most Red Wattlebirds don’t migrate, except for those in Western Australia.

Distribution – South Australia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

24. Australian Magpie

Australian Magpie

Australian Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) have a black-and-white appearance with red eyes.

Reaching a maximum size of up to 17 inches, these birds are marked by a contrasting appearance and a limited habitat in Australia.

Their head is all-black with white beak and red eyes. The upper part and the wings are mostly black with white wing margins.

The black and white coloring is further specific to the tail.

All-black plumage is also seen across the bellies. Accounting for numerous subspecies, Australian Magpies show a varying percentage of white plumage.

These birds also have brown eyes as juveniles and only turn to red eyes as adult males and females.

Distribution – Australia, New Zealand

Red eyes nuance – dark red

25. Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

A dark multicolored appearance is specific to Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus). These birds show a black crested head and red eyes contrasted by white, brown, and black.

A tan and black beak is specific to these birds while their wings and back are gray and bright brown.

While not present in The Americas, Great Crested Grebes are found around the rest of the world.

Much of their visits to The Southern Hemisphere are tied to its migration.

Migration routes take these birds from Europe and Asia to Africa, Southern Asia, and Australia.

Many populations don’t migrate. Western Europe and small populations in Northern Europe prefer not to migrate.

Distribution – Europe, South Africa, East Africa, Asia, Australia

Red eyes nuance – dark red

26. Common Loon

Common Loon

Dark red to brown eyes is specific to the breeding Common Loon (Gavia immer). This bird species shows a darker appearance entering its breeding season, a time when its eyes also become red.

A black head with white detailing on the face is specific to the bird.

This type of loon has a black back and black wings with white spots and decorations.

A brighter gray-brown appearance with a white belly is characteristic of the loons outside of the breeding season.

A specific sheen is also seen on the neck of these birds when breeding. It can be a black-green or a blue-green sheen.

Nesting on water or next to the water, The Common Loon depends on fish for food/

Distribution – North America, Western Central America, Coastal Greenland, Coastal Iceland, Coastal Europe

Red eyes nuance – dark red

27. Common Pochard

Common Pochard

Common Pochards (Aythya ferina) show considerable appearance differences between males and females.

The male Common Pochard changes its appearance going into the breeding season. Part of this change is seen in its red eyes.

A rusty red-brown head is also specific to the breeding male. Gray and black nuances dominated its back, wings, and beak.

The margins of its wings and its underwings are white.

Females of the species don’t have red eyes and show a dull gray-brown color combination with the beak being similar to male beaks.

Birds of this species can be seen eating all types of plants that grow in water as well as different types of aquatic insects.

Distribution – Europe, North Africa, Northern, and Southern Asia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

28. Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

The Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) is among the few birds with red eyes surrounded by an orange bare patch of skin.

A contrasting long orange beak is also seen on this species that has a black head and black upper parts.

White chests and underbellies are further specific to these birds.

Unlike other birds, The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a species that has red eyes throughout the season and which doesn’t change its plumage going into the breeding season.

While not present in The Americas, The Eurasian Oystercatcher expands its range outside Europe and Asia across Northern Africa.

Distribution – Europe, West and East Asia, North Africa

Red eyes nuance – dark red

29. Canvasback

Canvasback

A brown neck and head are contrasted by the vivid color of the red eyes of Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria).

A red-brown nuance is specific to the head coloring of males, together with the red eyes as females have black eyes.

The female Canvasback also has a bright brown head and bright gray body plumage as opposed to the white plumage of males.

While they don’t have red eyes, females share the same black beak color as males.

Reaching a size of up to 22 inches, Canvasbacks are found across The Americas up to Alaska.

Much of the Canadian and Alaskan populations migrate to Sothern US states and into Mexico.

Distribution – Alaska, Eastern Canada, United States, Mexico

Red eyes nuance – bright red

30. Red-crested Pochard

Red-crested Pochard

Breeding Red-crested Pochars (Netta rufina) are vividly colored compared to females.

Some of the differences between them include red eyes and a bright red beak. Females have black eyes and a mostly black beak.

Adult males show a brown-orange head with darker brown, gray, white, and black wings. The chest of the males is also black.

Females show simpler plumage based on bright brown and bright gray color combinations.

Male and female Red-crested Pochards also show different vocalizations.

This species is native to Central Asia and small regions of Europe. Most populations of Red-crested Pochards migrate to destinations such as North Africa and India to overwinter.

Distribution – Europe, Central Asia, India, North Africa

Red eyes nuance – bright red

31. Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kite

Adult breeding male and female Black-winged Kites (Elanus caeruleus) show red eye coloring.

These birds are mostly white with black and gray wing tips that inspire their common name.

Juveniles of the species are darker with brown eyes. They show brown and gray to white plumage and yellow legs and a black beak, as opposed to the yellow and black beak of the adults.

An avid predator, The Black-winged Kite moves with rodents. It shows a sedentary lifestyle but it can move over short distances when discovering new rodents to feed on.

Often seen on trees in couples in the breeding season, Black-winged Kites show a tendency to raise multiple broods each year.

Distribution – Spain, Portugal, France, sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

32. Chestnut Teal

Chestnut Teal

Red eyes are characteristic of male and female Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) despite them showing different plumage.

Males are more colorful, with an iridescent green head and red eyes while females have a gray-white head.

The upper back of males and females is gray-brown. A bright brown color is specific to the underbelly of males while females show a dull gray color.

Males of the species aren’t always known for having a metallic green head as they turn green into the breeding season from a black head outside of the breeding season.

White, black, and yellow spots are seen on the wings of males and females.

Distribution – Southwestern Australia, Southern, and Eastern Australia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

33. Asian Koel

Asian Koel

Bright red eyes are characteristic of the Oceania-based Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). This is a species with considerable plumage differences between the sexes while both males and females have red eyes.

Male Asian Koels are mostly black. They show glossy plumage, a black head, black wings, and a black belly.

Females may share the red nuance of the eyes but are dominated by brown and gray plumage.

Alternating brown and gray sections are seen all across the female from head to tail.

Found in tropical forests in Asia, The Asian Koel is a type of parasite bird as it lays a single egg in the nests of other species.

Distribution – Southern Papua New Guinea, Northeastern Australia, India

Red eyes nuance – bright red

34. Variable Oystercatcher

Variable Oystercatcher

Red eyes are seen on adult Variable Oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor). These types of birds have vivid red eyes with orange sections around them.

Juveniles have black and orange eyes but share the same orange beak color as adults.

At first, the young Variable Oystercatcher also has brighter plumage, slowly transitioning to black plumage as an adult.

This species is known for its high-pitched vocalizations and its New Zealand habitat.

It lives in coastal areas in small numbers and it doesn’t migrate for food or due to weather changes.

As a result, the species isn’t found on nearby islands or in Australia.

Distribution – New Zealand

Red eyes nuance – bright red

35. Asian Green Bee-Eater

Asian Green Bee-Eater

Male and female Asian Green Bee-Eaters (Merops orientalis) share the same red nuance of the eyes and the same plumage.

Growing to a size of up to 9 inches, these birds are mostly green.

Their red eyes tend to stand out as they are crossed by a black face band and because the head has a yellow-green crest with a blue neck.

Dark green wings and brighter green bellies are characteristic of The Asian Green Bee-Eater.

Birds of this species also have green tails. The ventral tail color is gray while the ventral wings are bright brown.

Found in grasslands and open areas, these types of birds eat insects, including bees.

Distribution – India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka

Red eyes nuance – dark red

36. Long-tailed Cormorant

Long-tailed Cormorant

Red eyes are the mark of the adult breeding and non-breeding Long-tailed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus).

Cormorants of this species change their plumage as they enter the breeding period but retain the red color of their eyes.

Bright ventral nuances combined with gray and black dorsal nuances are specific to the species when not breeding.

Once it enters the breeding season, the adult male turns black. Its head, neck, and underbelly are black with contrasting blue-purple wings.

Female Long-tailed Cormorants show a brown neck color and also share the same vivid red eye nuance.

Apart from having red eyes, male and female cormorants of the species also have long tails compared to other African cormorants.

Distribution – East Africa, South Africa, West Africa

Red eyes nuance – bright red

37. Asian Glossy Starling

Asian Glossy Starling

A Southeast Asian presence is characteristic of The Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis). This is a species where most of its males and females have red eyes.

In rare cases, these birds can show bright brown eyes.

The red eyes of males and females contrast the almost black appearance of these birds. They show a typical metallic blue gloss on their plumage in direct sunlight.

Otherwise, Asian Glossy Starlings can be seen as black birds with red eyes.

There are 14 Asian Glossy Starling subspecies. Most of them live in woodlands and feed on fruits and insects.

Distribution – Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaesia

Red eyes nuance – bright red

38. Greater Coucal

Greater Coucal

From Nepal to India, the Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) is a native species in East and Southeast Asia.

This is a species with ruby red eyes or dark red eyes characteristic of adults.

Brown-red wings and black plumage is characteristic of these birds. The head is all-black with a black beak and contrasting deep red eyes.

Birds of this species are known to breed soon after the Indian monsoon.

They show elaborate courting rituals with males circling the females and the females flicking their tails when approving of a male for breeding.

Distribution – India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore

Red eyes nuance – ruby red

39. Southern Lapwing

Southern Lapwing

Grey, black, and white coloring dominates the appearance of Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis).

These birds show ruby red eyes, a gray head, and a black and white face mask. A dark upper chest with green sections (in the case of males) is specific to the species.

Found next to South American rivers, the species is rarely seen in Panama and further North. Some incipient populations may be soon established in Florida.

The diet of the species is diverse and includes various types of bugs found in the grass or earthworms.

Distribution – Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

Red eyes nuance – dark red

40. Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail

Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail

Dark red eyes and a generally dark appearance are characteristic of The Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail (Aramides saracura).

Chestnut and gray colors are characteristic of its plumage. The head is also partly gray and partly chestnut, with additional white marks.

This species is only found in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay and it represents one of the rare birds with green beaks in its range.

It feeds on all types of wildlife around forests such as grubs and larvae.

Distribution – Southeastern Brazil, Northern Argentina, Eastern Paraguay

Red eyes nuance – orange-red