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Why is my pet bird's poop watery and clear? What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Hi my budgie rio has watery poop and also it's clear

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on May 22nd, 2015

All bird droppings are made up of three parts: Feces, the solid, central part which can vary in color depending on the food the bird eats. Urates, the next layer of the ring, which can be cloudy-clear or with shades of white, yellows and greens, again depending on the foods eaten. Urine is the clear liquid, usually outer layer of the ring. Depending on the amount of fruits and fluids the bird eats/drinks, this can be a significant part of the dropping.

Diarrhea is often actually Polyuria. True diarrhea is when the feces part of the droppings are not well formed and liquidy. Diarrhea is usually caused by a disease. Polyuria is when there’s more than usual amounts of the urine and urates (the feces are still well formed).

Polyuria may be caused by viral infections, allergies to foods or even a tumor somewhere. There are just so many possible causes that a vet visit is essential in order to catch things early.

26Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM
Veterinarian
Published on July 11th, 2018
Thank you for your question. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if diarrhea is true or not. The reason for this is that the droppings of a bird is made up of three parts - the feces, the urine (clear part), and the urates (white part). Often when there is a complaint of "diarrhea" in a bird, it turns out that the droppings are watery and there is more of a urine component. With an increase in urine component, there can be a kidney problem. If there is true diarrhea, the feces (poop) will not be formed and will be very flat and loose in the dropping. This can be indicative of many problems, from nutrition to infectious diseases to cancer.
Without a photo, I am unable to say for certain if your bird has diarrhea or if it is watery droppings.
Without utilizing a veterinarian, it is going to be difficult to tell what is wrong with Sheephony. You can attempt supportive care at home in the form of heat support to make sure she doesn't get too cold in the evenings, and provide her with easy to access food and water.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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