Ask Lafeber

Black Poop?

Hi,
Yesterday I noticed my 8 month old Quaker Parrots’ droppings turned black. She is acting normal; eating, sleeping playing, etc. Her diet consists of mostly pellets (im still trying to get her to eat veggies). However, I noticed one of her pellets were especially dark colored. After she started nibbling on that pellet is when her stools turned dark. Could it be the pellet that caused the discoloration?

Hi Sarah,

Droppings can change color due to food, but of course an illness can also cause a change. I would smear one of the droppings on a white paper towel and check it under a bright light. It is probably actually dark green, which is fine. If it is truly black, then there may be a problem in her digestive tract. I would then take her to an Avian Vet for a check up.

Take care,

Brenda