Very pale eyes seem to make that gaze all the more piercing! Though some species have pale eyes as an adult, they are often darker when the birds are young; Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye are good examples.
This is the Raja Shelduck. There are two subspecies; most in collections are from the nominate New Guinea subspecies, while Rajah rajah rufitergum from Australia are less common. Once established, these interesting ducks will breed quite freely. They are the latest species to be added in our ID guide.
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