diff --git a/rest_framework/metadata.py b/rest_framework/metadata.py
index 6c4f176923..2d99f61cbd 100644
--- a/rest_framework/metadata.py
+++ b/rest_framework/metadata.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 from django.utils.encoding import force_text
 
 from rest_framework import exceptions, serializers
+from rest_framework.fields import empty
 from rest_framework.request import clone_request
 from rest_framework.utils.field_mapping import ClassLookupDict
 
@@ -123,13 +124,16 @@ def get_field_info(self, field):
 
         attrs = [
             'read_only', 'label', 'help_text',
-            'min_length', 'max_length',
+            'min_length', 'max_length', 'default',
             'min_value', 'max_value'
         ]
 
         for attr in attrs:
             value = getattr(field, attr, None)
-            if value is not None and value != '':
+            if value is not None and value != '' and value != empty:
+                if callable(value):
+                    value.set_context(field)
+                    value = value()
                 field_info[attr] = force_text(value, strings_only=True)
 
         if getattr(field, 'child', None):
diff --git a/tests/test_metadata.py b/tests/test_metadata.py
index 6819f15046..f820d7ea86 100644
--- a/tests/test_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/test_metadata.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class ExampleSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
                 min_value=1, max_value=1000
             )
             char_field = serializers.CharField(
-                required=False, min_length=3, max_length=40
+                required=False, min_length=3, max_length=40, default='Cookie'
             )
             list_field = serializers.ListField(
                 child=serializers.ListField(
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ class ExampleSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
                 )
             )
             nested_field = NestedField()
+            defaultuser_field = serializers.HiddenField(default=serializers.CurrentUserDefault())
 
         class ExampleView(views.APIView):
             """Example view."""
@@ -84,7 +85,10 @@ def post(self, request):
                 pass
 
             def get_serializer(self):
-                return ExampleSerializer()
+                if self.request:
+                    return ExampleSerializer(context={'request': self.request})
+                else:
+                    return ExampleSerializer()
 
         view = ExampleView.as_view()
         response = view(request=request)
@@ -128,7 +132,8 @@ def get_serializer(self):
                         'read_only': False,
                         'label': 'Char field',
                         'min_length': 3,
-                        'max_length': 40
+                        'max_length': 40,
+                        'default': 'Cookie'
                     },
                     'list_field': {
                         'type': 'list',
@@ -165,6 +170,13 @@ def get_serializer(self):
                                 'label': 'B'
                             }
                         }
+                    },
+                    'defaultuser_field': {
+                        'type': 'field',
+                        'required': False,
+                        'read_only': False,
+                        'label': 'Defaultuser field',
+                        'default': 'AnonymousUser'
                     }
                 }
             }