Why is my bird's poop discolored after eating Zupreem fruit pellets?

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.

Thank you for your question about Pecker, and I really appreciate you including pictures as they are very helpful! The droppings overall look very normal and appropriate, which is great. The urates are bright and white and the amount of urine is appropriate. I see what you mean about the difference in color - the lighter brown are less concerning to me than the darker colored ones. The reason for that is dark brown to black stools can be indicative of digested blood in the feces, also known as melena. In Pecker's case, with him being very new to you and you doing a diet switch (which is great, by the way - I recommend that budgies eat at least 50% pellets and then the rest of the diet can be made up of seed and produce items), I wouldn't worry too much because it may be due to the transition. However, if the dark stools continue, it would be advisable to take Pecker in for a wellness examination to have him (and his feces) evaluated. When you go, please make sure that you bring some of the dark feces, as your veterinarian can have it tested for occult (hidden) blood. They can also perform a thorough physical exam on him. Also, if anything about Pecker changes, including his attitude or appetite, this would also be reason to go into a veterinarian sooner rather than later. I would recommend regular weighing for him as well - you can do this by using a perch on top of a digital gram scale (found in the kitchen section of most department stores). I would recommend doing this 3 times per week. This will allow you to ensure he is not getting chunky or losing weight for some reason! Good luck with your new pet!

Thanks for reaching out about Diablo and including photos. Green stool can be normal depending on recent food ingested. The picture shows a well formed feces, appropriate amount of urine/urates. If Diablo is preferentially eating the green pellets, the feces can be more green. Fat should be kept minimal, and with the 10% fat in the pellets and seed, the seed should be limited if not eliminated. Parrots are not exposed to many seeds in the wild, but nuts yes. A wide variety of vegetables are important, as is a protein source such as beans or legumes. Good luck.

thanks for reaching out about Gacy. The red color could definitely be due to colored pellets, The stool appears slightly loose, possibly a result of recent egg binding/retained shell, but also possible for a GI infection or other problem. If acting well, continue to monitor. Let our veterinarian know your concerns. Good luck.

Thanks for your question about Astro. Red in the droppings can be caused by a number of things. The most concerning of these of course is fresh blood. I am not sure if Astro has eaten anything red in the last few hours - this would include any kind of produce, pellets, or human food that is red in color. If not, then I would recommend that you take him in for evaluation. If you have a sample of the dropping that was red in color, I would recommend taking that with you, as your veterinarian can evaluate it under the microscope to look for evidence of blood. They can also perform a thorough physical examination and then make further recommendations depending on what they find. Good luck, and I hope that Astro feels better soon!

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Phoebe and including a photo. Yes, the higher sugar in fruit could result in a thicker, mucoid stool. Eliminate fruit in the diet for the time being to see if the stool returns to normal. Bacterial enteritis, ingested foreign bodies or other diseases can irritate the bowels resulting in mucoid stool. If it persists, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.