My bird has black liquid poop that turns the cage paper orange. Is it sick?

Seed and pellet colors can sometimes affect stool color, especially if the birds are otherwise healthy and acting normal. However, stool color can also sometimes be affected by issues such as parasites, illness, etc and birds are great at hiding it sometimes. Bringing in a sample of stool to your vet for testing, or keeping an eye and watching for any signs of sick birds may help figure out any possible causes.

Thank you for your question about Blue. I am glad that you asked, as no, this is not a normal color or consistency for budgie feces to have. I didn't see how old Blue was, or if she was on any medications, but I would recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian. Dark, tarry stool like what you are describing may be due to digested blood. This can be secondary to some medications, certain toxins if she has gotten into something, or can be due to certain diseases of the intestinal tract. Your veterinarian can gather a detailed history from you which may reveal the cause, and will perform a thorough examination. From there, they may have recommendations for diagnostic testing. If possible, bring pictures, or even better a sample, of the stool for them to look at. They may also prescribe medications for Blue. Please do not give her any human medications, as many of these are harmful for our feathered friends. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Blue feels better soon.

Diet changes can affect the stool, and if you're feeding any extras in addition to the diet change, this could be causing the change you are seeing. It is also possible that his current diet is causing some minor GI upset if it changes immediately after eating and then returns to normal. Other issues such as internal parasites can also cause stool changes, so ruling out and treating for any parasites may be a good idea. Removing any extras such as fruit and veggies and providing only his balanced diet for a few days may also help him adjust and his stool return to normal. If the problem persists, or you see any other symptoms or changes such as reduced eating/drinking, lethargy, etc, then seeking vet care in person to rule out any more serious issues is best.

Depending on what she was being fed before, a sudden change to new food and a new house may cause a bit of stress and a change in stool. Making sure she is on a balanced diet and is kept in a calm, stress-free area for a few days while she adjusts may help. if she doesn't return to normal behavior, the stool continues to be discolored, or you see other signs of illness such as listless behavior, not eating or drinking, excessive scratching or feather loss, etc, then having a vet take a look is always best.

Hello there! It sounds like Dash might be in some trouble. Sitting on the bottom of the cage is generally considered abnormal in parakeets, especially with the odd behavior, ruffled feathers, and squeaking you mentioned. Black stools make me worry about potential bleeding in her gastrointestinal tract, which can be life-threatening. There are multiple issues that could be at play here, from a dietary indiscretion (eating something she wasn't supposed to), trauma, a bacterial or fungal infection, or parasites. The only way to know for sure what is causing her symptoms (and to therefore determine a course of treatment that is safe for her) is to bring Dash to a vet. It looks like you indicated that you live in Seattle - there is a bird vet near you: Bird and Exotic Clinic of Seattle 10501 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 (206) 783-4538 Please consider bringing Dash to the vet if you can as she sounds very, very sick. In the meantime, you should keep her warm and calm, and place her food and water near her on the floor to encourage her to eat and drink. Good luck, and I hope Dash gets well soon!

Thanks for reaching out about Bobby. Dark feces is often an indication of decreased appetite or bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Could also be ate something like blueberries that are dark. If it persists, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Hi, and thanks for your question. These signs could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!