Why is my young cockatiel's stomach shape changing as he grows?

The color of the droppings can vary depending on the diet. If Keke is behaving normally otherwise, there is likely no cause for concern. Continue to monitor the stool and diet. If he becomes lethargic, stops eating or develops loose droppings, then have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian.

It sounds like there may be something stuck in Jerry's mouth or throat/crop, or there may be a functional deformity that is preventing him from being able to eat and drink properly. While baby birds may still be occasionally fed by their parents at this age, they should be exploring, eating and drinking on their own for the most part. It would be best to bring Jerry into a local avian clinic so that they can examine him safely and check for illness or physical issues.

Thanks for reaching out about Artie and including photos. A solitary watery dropping is not to be concerning but if continues a veterinary visit should be scheduled. Changes in appetite, i.e. offering lots of fruit, could temporarily change the stool. Good luck.

It is common for young birds to lose their feeding response as they become weak, and this may be what is happening with Toni. It is more energy taxing to move the neck/head than it is to chirp. The line that you are seeing is part of the organs in the belly. If you look closely, you can see a number of organs. This is because their skin is so thin that you can see through it. I would recommend having Toni evaluated by a veterinarian. They can perform an examination on Toni to ensure there are no obvious abnormalities, and may provide some supportive care for him. Additionally, I am not sure what you are formula you are feeding, how much, and how often - these are all important items as we need to make sure Toni is getting enough calories to grow and thrive. Your veterinarian can help to guide you with these items based on the cockatiel's weight. The crop is small in the pictures that you sent, but I am not sure how long ago you had fed before taking the picture so this may be appropriate. Please ensure that Toni is being kept warm as well - ideally he would have an area that is 90-100F. Monitor the area with a digital thermometer to ensure it is not getting too hot or too cold. Without proper temperatures, Toni won't be able to digest his food well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and good luck!

Watery yellow stool can be caused by a large number of things including illness, organ dysfunction, parasites, GI issues, too many treats, etc. If it just started recently and you are feeding new snacks or treats, removing them and only providing Charlie's diet for a few days may help resolve the issue. If the problem persists, or you see other symptoms, seeking veterinary care in person (along with bringing in a stool sample) is best to try and determine the cause and have it treated.

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!

Thanks for reaching out about Orpheus. It sounds as if he is sick and needs the attention of a veterinarian. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some support. Young baby birds might not be fully weaned and need to be feed assisted. Stress (moving to a new home, new people) can often revert baby birds to wanting to be fed. Contact the breeder if needed, for assistance. Good luck.