My budgie's poop is black. Is it sick, or just the black seeds?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Looser stools can be caused by a number of things. If you've recently given Sky a bunch of snacks (such as fruits and veggies) or changed her diet, this can cause temporary stool color changes or moist stool. Removing any extra treats and letting her adjust to her new diet for a few days may help. If she has differently colored pellets in her food, this may also cause color changes to the stool as well. Other causes can include parasites, GI upset, illness, nutritional issues, metabolic issues, etc. If she didn't have a diet change or any snacks, or is showing other signs of illness in addition to the loose stool/color change (you mentioned she is less active), then having her examined by a vet is best. They can treat her for parasites and help rule out any more serious underlying conditions that may require treatment.

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.