My bird won't stop eating his poop. What's causing it and how to help?

Those are some pretty loose stools and/or vomit. I would pick up any extras such as toys he may be eating, snacks, treats, etc for a day to see if this resolves the issue as these can sometimes cause GI irritation and upset. If the vomiting continues, you see more loose stool, or you see other symptoms such as changes in appetite, behavior, energy levels, etc, then it would be best to bring your bird to your vet as there could be an issue such as an infection, obstruction, GI upset, parasites, etc causing it.

This is not normal. It may be due to boredom, hunger or nutritional deficiency. Young birds may do this because they do not know any better yet. Review the diet with an experienced avian veterinarian to correct any deficiencies. Use a cage with a raised wire bottom so the droppings fall through and out of reach. Clean the cage regularly to avoid build up of droppings on bars.

Black, tarry, or bloody stool can indicate issues such as a GI bleed, digestive upset, or even parasites. In some cases, adding in too many fruits or veggies, or even different colored pellets within your bird's diet can also change the color of the stool, so if your bird is acting normal except for the stool change, stopping all treats and extras beyond regular food, checking for any pellets in the food that may be a similar color, and seeing if it clears up may help. If your bird is ill in addition to the color change, such as acting listless, not eating or drinking, losing weight, etc, it would be best to have him seen by a vet, so it is a good idea to try and explain this to your parents. If your bird is ill, it is very cruel of them to not provide him with appropriate medical care, or to at least seek a humane euthanasia if he is suffering and they do not wish to treat the issue.

It may be due to curiosity or boredom. Provide a variety of foods (pelleted diet, some seed, fresh fruit and vegetables) as well as a variety of toys to keep them engaged. A grate at the bottom will prevent them from reaching the droppings.

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.

If his behavior is unusual or any symptoms (such as changes to the stool and lethargic behavior) are worsening, seeking a vet visit in person is always best to rule out issues such as GI upset, illness, etc. Adding a little grit to the diet may also help better breakdown seeds in his food and allow him to digest/pass them more easily. Sometimes, parasites can look like seeds in the stool, so having a vet take a look and checking for any parasites may also be a good idea. As for fresh fruits and veggies, birds can sometimes be picky about what they eat. The best rule of thumb is to keep offering them until your bird finally gets curious enough to try it. He may find a new favorite!

If he is always fluffed up or otherwise listless, this can be a sign that he isn't feeling very well, and an exam from your vet is always a good idea. As for the pottying, birds tend to just go wherever they are (some can be trained not to), and so if he's perching on the food and water, he is likely to go there. Adding in some perches similar to the dishes may encourage him to perch there instead, or simply getting dishes that are more of a silo instead of a bowl can prevent stool from getting in them. Daily cleaning of all dishes will also help with any stool that gets in them.