My Love Bird's poop is normal, but its white part is hard. Why?

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!

The consistency and appearance of droppings can be affected by diet. It is possible Flint had some fruit or fluids which resulted in looser droppings than normal. If he is behaving normally, keep an eye on what he eats and his droppings. If they remain loose and larger than normal, consider an exam with your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. You may want to submit the droppings to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial/fungal overgrowth. It is never recommended to medicate a pet without the advice of your veterinarian. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying condition which can delay diagnosis. If Flint did have an infection that was not susceptible to the antibiotic used, then there would be no improvement. An exam would be recommended to diagnose and properly treat any infection. Your vet can also take a look at the wing feathers to rule out infection (mites, bacterial, viral, fungal). You can bathe or mist him with warm water to promote preening and healthy plumage.

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.

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.

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.

The droppings could be affected by his diet. If he is behaving normally otherwise, it may be normal. If Kiki is lethargic, has his feathers puffed out or has a decreased appetite, it could be cause for concern. You can always submit a sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth and have Kiki examined.