Golden Eyes

I snagged this photo of a drake Common Goldeneye a few days back. The name says it all, doesn't it? Yes, indeed, they have golden eyes.

Apparently, the eyes of a Common Goldeneye are gray-brown at hatching. They turn purple-blue, then blue, then green-blue as they age. By five months of age, they have become clear pale green-yellow. The eyes will be bright yellow in adult males and pale yellow to white in females.

It's a good thing they often name birds based on the appearance of the adult. Calling it a "Common Clear Pale Green-Yelloweye" just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?

I didn't think so...