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What Causes Red Bird Poop And How To Stop It!

Birds are beautiful to look at, often displaying bright and beautiful colors. These colors are attractive to us but can also bring about extra attention to them that could attract predators.

Their vibrant outer appearance is one part of the reason why they are good at masking certain illnesses, helping them appear their best and brightest at all times.

As a sign of internal health, birds’ droppings will often display the most changes, changing in both color and consistency. Normal droppings from a bird should be odorless and have a dark brown or green color.

Sometimes, this color scheme changes depending on the species and their diet, so it’s important to know a bit about your bird and its species before making assumptions.

While small specs of any color are not a cause for panic in most cases, there are some instances with color changes that can be a cause for concern.

One of those is red bird poop, which can indicate that the bird is ingesting a high level of lead or that they may have another internal issue that needs attention.

What Causes Red Bird Poop?

Birds’ digestive systems (like many animals) change with different types of conditions. Their poop can change depending on what they eat, the weather, and even the conditions that they live in.

Changing conditions can mean that their poop changes colors, sometimes taking on a red tinge.

When birds’ poop is red, it’s likely a result of a few things. First of all, it can be a change in their diet. If birds start to eat different foods or snack on things with deep red or purple colors like berries, their poop can turn red.

Red bird poop can also be an indication of a high intake of lead or indicate some type of internal bleeding.

While the first example is not that serious, the latter two can be detrimental to the bird’s health, causing it to get really sick.

If you have not changed your bird’s diet and are seeing a red color in their poop, you might need to consult a veterinarian, making sure to keep a close watch on any other signs or symptoms displayed.

Should I Be Worried If My Pet Bird Is Pooping Red?

When your bird all of sudden starts acting differently or begins to have changes in its digestion or other habits, it can be scary.

First of all, you’re not sure if it’s life-threatening, and second of all because you’re not sure how to read other signs. When your bird’s poop turns red, should you be concerned?

The answer is: it just depends. Because the color of your bird’s poop can change for a number of reasons, it’s not always necessary to start panicking so early on.

The first thing you should do is take a second to think of any changes to their diet that could have triggered the change.

For instance, foods like berries, beets, and more can change the color of your bird’s poop. However, if you have not changed your bird’s diet, then there are some other signs that you should look for before getting too concerned.

Signs of Illness In Birds

If you don’t know of any changes in your bird’s diet or atmosphere, there are some other signs that you can look for to know whether you should get in contact with your vet. Anything out of the ordinary could be a sign, along with a few others.

For instance, your bird’s mood may change from energetic to very lethargic if they are experiencing some kind of issue with their health. Additionally, they may stop eating or wheeze whenever they breathe.

You can also tell a lot by a bird’s poop and/or urine, so be sure to keep an eye on that. Keep a lookout for feces with very bad odor or strange, unusual colors, urine with any kind of color, and even an increase or decrease in the amount of poop they normally excrete. 

How Can I Stop My Pet Bird From Having Red Poop?

There are a number of reasons why your bird’s poop can be red so finding a solution depends on what’s causing the problem.

If it’s related to food, all you’ll have to do is change their food or feed them less food with bright red pigments. If it’s foods they can’t live without, continue to feed them and just get used to the color.

If you believe that your bird’s red poop is a result of another more serious issue, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet to be on the safe side. There are a number of things that could be wrong with your bird, including increased exposure to lead or even internal bleeding.

If you suspect either one, it’s betting to take them in to get evaluated. You don’t want to take chances when it comes to the health of your bird, and some of the reasons behind a sudden change in poop color and/or consistency can be a sign of serious internal issues. 

Conclusion

Red bird poop can be alarming, especially if it’s your first time to see it coming from your bird. Any changes in a bird’s poop or urine can be a sign that something is going on that needs attention, so be sure that you stay on top of it and check for signs.

While some foods will cause changes in your bird’s poop, other things can be behind the change, which is why it’s recommended to keep an eye out for other signs and symptoms that something else is going on.

As always, if you’re in doubt, you should give your vet a call and possibly take your bird in to see them if they’re displaying a number of symptoms that are not typical of them. When it comes to your bird’s health, it’s better to be safe than sorry, spotting symptoms right when they start and making sure it’s nothing serious.