5 Black Ducks with Red Eyes (With Pictures)

Recently, a friend asked me to help her identify a black duck with red eyes. At first, it sounded like a simple question — but it’s actually trickier than it seems! With more than 50 types of ducks found around the world, only a handful stand out with this rare and striking combination of dark plumage and bright red eyes. These features aren’t something you come across every day, which makes spotting one all the more exciting for any birdwatcher. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at some of the most fascinating black ducks with red eyes that you might be lucky enough to see.

1. Southern Pochard

Southern Pochards wear deep chocolate-brown to almost black feathers that shine beautifully in the sunlight. The males are especially easy to recognize because of their bright red eyes — they stand out like tiny rubies against their dark heads. Females, on the other hand, are softer in color, usually brown with pale patches near their beaks and eyes. Whether in Africa or South America, these ducks love calm freshwater spots where they can dive for plants and small creatures.

2. Cinnamon Teal

The Cinnamon Teal is one of those ducks that makes you stop and look twice. The male’s body glows with a rich reddish-brown color — like cinnamon spice come to life — and those bright red eyes complete its fiery look. They’re not big ducks, but they’re full of energy, often dabbling in shallow water to scoop up seeds, insects, and tiny pond creatures. The females are plainer, wearing soft brown feathers that blend perfectly into their marshy homes.

3. Rosy-billed Pochard

Rosy-billed Pochards are sleek, dark ducks with glossy black plumage and bright red eyes that give them a dramatic, almost elegant look. The males are especially striking — not only do they have red eyes, but also a bold, rosy-red bill topped with a round red knob. When they stretch their wings, you might notice a flash of white, which adds to their beauty. These ducks are strong swimmers and can be found across South America, gliding gracefully on lakes and ponds.

4. Patagonian Crested Duck

This medium-sized duck from southern South America has a soft mix of brown and grey feathers that give it a mottled look. Its red eyes shine brightly against its dark crown and face feathers, and both males and females have a neat little crest on their heads. You’ll often find it near lakes or ponds, diving for insects, crustaceans, and algae. Both parents care for the ducklings, which grow their own crests as they mature.

5. Hartlaub’s Duck

Hartlaub’s Duck is a dark chestnut bird from African forests with beautiful red eyes that stand out against its rich plumage. Males have more white on the head, while females are darker overall. It feeds quietly in forest waters, eating insects, crustaceans, and seeds—and sometimes even insects from elephant dung! During the rainy season, they nest and raise chicks with sooty-black heads and yellowish bodies.

Worthy Mention: American Coot

If you’re trying to identify a black duck with red eyes, chances are you’ve actually seen an American Coot. These birds are often mistaken for ducks because they swim and dive like them, but they belong to a different family altogether. Their bodies are dark gray to black, their eyes glow bright red, and their bills are white with a small red mark near the top. American Coots are excellent swimmers with lobed toes that help them move easily through the water. They live in lakes, ponds, and marshes across North America, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and small animals. So, next time you spot a “duck” with red eyes, take a closer look — it might just be this clever little coot instead!