Why Do Some Birds Have Red Eyes? (Let's Find Out!)

Last updated on October 15th, 2022 at 03:01 pm

If you’re a birdwatcher or a bird owner, you may have observed that some of our feathered friends have red eyes. If your pet bird has suddenly developed red eyes, it can be alarming. Many people may wonder: why do some birds have red eyes?

Many birds, including several common backyard varieties, naturally have less melanin in their irises, resulting in red eyes. In other cases, red eyes in birds can be caused by allergic reactions, injury, or illness.

Table of Contents

• Naturally Red-Eyed Birds
  • Blood Vessels
  • Albino Birds
• Other Causes of Red Eyes in Birds
  • Aging
  • Allergies
  • Infections
  • Air Pollution
• How To Treat Red Eye Infections
• Sources

Naturally Red-Eyed Birds

There are many species of birds in which red eyes are a natural occurrence.

Due to the high variability of eye color in birds, there are some species whose irises range from yellow to red.

For the sake of simplicity, they are included with other red-eyed species. Red-eyed species include but are not limited to:

• White-winged dove
• Wood duck
• Gulls
• Cinnamon teal
• Spotted towhee
• Killdeer
• Pigeons

In nature, coloration often plays a vital role in a bird’s ability to survive. The relationship between eye color and function, however, is still largely unknown by ornithologists.

There is some speculation, however, that the red-yellow spectrum of iris color present in some sea birds is due to the presence of natural pigment oil droplets called carotenoids related to improving distance visibility.

Blood Vessels

Red eyes can occur genetically if a specific variety of birds has evolved over time to have less melanin.

When there are lower levels of melanin in the iris, this makes the blood vessels more visible and gives the iris a red-pink hue.

Albino Birds

When a bird or any other animal is born with albinism, it means to have either no melanin or less melanin than other members of the species.

When this occurs, the eyes may appear red or pink due to the abundance of blood vessels in the eye.

Albinism is rare and is usually notable by discoloration of the skin along with the red eyes.

While albino birds do exist in nature, they are uncommon, as the lack of protective pigmentation tends to shorten their lifespan.

Albinism–also called amelanism or leucism–also weakens the structural support of the feathers, causing them to wear out more rapidly than those supported by melanin.

There are other possible causes of red eyes in birds, so unless the bird is unnaturally pale, albinism is probably not the source.

Other Causes of Red Eyes in Birds

If a bird’s eye has changed suddenly to red, pet owners may become alarmed.

There are a number of reasons a bird’s eye might turn red. It is important to note, however, that some birds’ eyes change naturally as the bird matures.

Aging

Some birds, such as sharp-shinned hawks, will transition from having yellow irises to red as they get older.

In these cases, the change may be the result of a natural change of pigmentation in the iris.

If the change of eye color is natural, there is no cause for alarm.

However, if you’re concerned about a pet bird with red eyes, check the specific species or contact a veterinary professional for more information.

Allergies

Red eyes can also be caused in birds by an allergic reaction.

Birds can be allergic to a variety of things, just like people. Not every bird has allergies, and it’s difficult to tell without expert consultation.

However, here is a list of common bird allergens to avoid feeding your pet or putting out in a bird feeder:

• Avocado
• Fruit pits or seeds
• Salt
• Fat
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Onions
• Xylitol

Infections

Red eyes can also be the result of an infection. In fact, Red Eye is the name for a type of infection common in birds.

Birds with Red Eye will also often have nasal discharge, swelling of the eye, discoloration of the sinus, and other telltale symptoms that point to an infection.

Aside from Red Eye, other types of infections can cause birds to exhibit red eyes as a symptom.

Infections such as ophthalmitis and conjunctivitis have also been recorded as causing redness in the coloration of birds’ irises.

Infections are common in domestic birds when the surroundings are not kept sanitary. Mold and dust are often irritants triggering a larger infection.

Keeping birds caged away from smoke, as well as removing old food from the cage before it spoils, can help keep pet birds healthy and infection-free.

Air Pollution

If a bird is kept in an area with poor air circulation for a long period of time or is constantly exposed to air pollution, it can cause illness and infection which result in red eyes.

City-dwelling birds such as pigeons, which are common in condensed areas and are regularly exposed to urban pollution, have a higher likelihood of getting an infection causing red eyes.

Caged birds in smoking households are also at a higher risk.

It is not recommended to keep a bird caged in a room with cigarette smoke, as it can cause eye and sinus damage as well as the obvious respiratory threat it poses.

How To Treat Red Eye Infections

If a bird has an eye infection, the recommendation is to take it to a vet. However, a simple eye infection can be effectively treated with a saline solution rinse.

Still, unless you are adequately trained, it is highly recommended to consult a veterinary professional before undertaking any treatment of an eye injury.

Flushing the eyes with saline water washes out the eye, clearing away the irritant which is causing the reaction. To flush a bird’s eye with saline solution, follow these simple steps:

• Open the bird’s eye by gently holding the upper lid with your thumb
• Find the irritant on the surface of the eyeball
• If the irritant has not penetrated the eye, proceed to flush the bird’s eye with the saline solution
• If the irritant has penetrated the eye, seek immediate veterinary help.

Even a minor eye injury can cause blindness in birds.

If you notice a change in the color of your bird’s eyes, it is vital to identify the cause and/or take the pet bird into a vet clinic right away.

Sources

• 10,000 Birds: Eye Color In Birds
• Research Gate: What Colour Is That Bird?
• University of Denver: Learning to Discern Color Aberrations in Birds