Just got new amazon, is it stressed or sick?

[1025667]

Hi, we just got a new blue fronted amazon parrot about 3-4 days ago. He is about 8 years old and his previous owners smoked. He is already starting to talk a little with us. He is also very responsive (turning his head and flaring his pupils when we talk to it). I do have a few concerns though, and I would like to know if the bird is sick or if he is just stressed out....
We have completely changed his diet suddenly within 1 day. We did not know what food the previous owners fed him so we picked up some seed food.. but we just realized we need to switch to pellets. Also we have not given him fruits/vegies yet. Maybe the change was too sudden and he is stressed..But here is whats going on..

-Every now and then he is ruffling his feathers and preening himself.. (is he molting?)
-Not very often, but occasionally, he stands on one foot. (is he cold?)
-He has not had diarrhea but has had very watery droppings
-His urine has been anywhere from clear to light yellow but everything is watery so maybe it it mixing with it green feces?

I will post a picture next time he goes to the bathroom

Thanks, Michael!

 

[MikeyTN]

From what your asking I take it you guys have absolutely no idea with birds. You shouldn't change their diet when you first bring them home. Should of called the previous owner to find that out. Pellets can wait until he's more stabilized. You can feed fresh fruits and veggies along with the seeds daily right now. Birds do stand on one foot often. They preen daily to keep feathers in shape. If you have deep concerns you should consult a avian vet as he should be checked out anyways.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I would think you would have to transition. You dont know if hes even had pellets . Its important he eats . I would do the pellets ,seed and fruits and vegs. [everyday till you can convert him ] Zons are hearty eaters I offer mine a bean,pasta veg mix I make up every other day [with fruits and vegs] . His droppings sound fine [diet can change how they look] Puffing up is fine if their sleeping ,relaxed ,cold from a bath just not all the time. Tight feathers are a sign of health. A healthy parrot sleeps on one foot. Dont forget baths [Its important] try spraying with warm water a couple times a week. He may take a long time to adjust [like months] be patient and kind .You will win him over.

 

[MonicaMc]

Ideally, you should take the amazon to an avian vet (if you can find one) for a fecal and CBC panel to ensure health. Also gives a good baseline for future visits.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

First things first, get him to an Avian Vet soon, like then next available appointment. Not that I am concerned about his health but since you don't know a lot about him the vet can run test and educate you how to properly care for a parrot as well as answer any questions you may have.

As others have said, you should find out what he was eating and change that diet slowly. Changing a diet too fast can cause a bird added stress. As for preening, standing on one foot, loose droppings (depending on what they are eating & how much they are drinking), they can all be normal. Please get him into an Avian Vet ASAP for him and yourself.

 

[1025667]

He is also shaking/shivering a lot but the house is at 77 degrees..
and are we sure that the yellow-green urine AND urates are fine?

 

[SandyBee]

No one can be sure on a forum. A vet needs to see him.
My amazon only does the shiver/shake thing when he is drying off from his shower.
It doesn't necessarily mean he's cold, he is letting air in his feathers and regulating his temps.
One foot is normal when resting and sleeping.
Is he still eating and drinking well?
My amazon has drinks more water when eating pellets and sometimes has higher urine as a result.
Is the fecal matter still tubular in shape, it should be.
Ruffling while preening is normal and a good sign. But when playing and eating his feathers should be smooth and tight to the body.
They often will slightly ruffle their feathers when sleeping as well.
Is he active?
Bottom line is we can't tell you, only pass on our experiences. Since he is new to you and you have concerns he should be checked by a vet, you will feel more at ease and he will get anything he needs.

 

[1025667]

He is very active and talkative... The green urine and green urates concern me though..

I made a vet apt for this sat to make sure everything is okay.

 

[SandyBee]

I'm glad you made the appointment
Stress and diet change can cause dropping to be looser and hopefully that's all it is discouloring the urates and urine.
Let us know how it goes and pictures are always nice

 

[Greenwing]

As all have stated... Make an appointment with a Avian vet for a quick wellness checkup...

Everything you have posted is perfectly normal....

If you want some advice on the unusual poop... Place a white sheet of paper under him and post a picture of it..

Not uncommon for the urates to have a greenish tinge if the bird poop is watery..

 

[1025667]

Here are a bunch of pictures of some various droppings that he has made recently.. Please look at them all, because they are all different...

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Thanks, and please respond!

 

[SandyBee]

I don't think its too bad. They can all be different and be fine. You have an appointment on Sat, so all.is good. I would say they are probably a little watery at times due to stress and change of diet.

 

[antoinette]

Wow so much going on no wonder you are so confused.
It is easy for us members to assume what we think might be the problem, many different theories etc.
Glad you are taking him to the vet, they are qualified and will give you the best advice.
My suggestion place what ever seeds he was been feed, in one bowl and pellets in another and fresh fruit/veggies in another bowl. At least he will have a variety to choose from, even if he chooses the seeds over the others offered at least you know he is eating. The vet will advise you how to change from seeds to pellets, and many members will assist you as well.

His droppings look normal to me, guess it changes from time to time when you offered him something different. Hopefully other members will offer more in depth information.

Please keep up posted

 

[1025667]

So we just got back from the vet...
He said that he appears to be very healthy and active..
He was slightly worried about the color of the urine and urates, so he said because we had a complete change in diet that we should continue feeding him the same diet (for now) and see if the color of his droppings changes. He said that if in a week or two, the color doesn't change, than we should bring him back and have blood tests done. He said that he is average-slightly under weight and his droppings are small also. So all I can do is hope that there will not be any problems.

Just thought I would get back to you guys, and thanks for all of the posts!
I will keep you all updated!
-Michael

 

[Greenwing]

Poop pictures look perfectly normal to me.... They change.... First poop of the day is usually huge... Poop after drinking water or having fruits or veggies will be watery... And if you feed colored pellets.. Well then you sometimes have a rainbow of different colored poop...

Glad to hear she got a clean bill of health....

 

[SandyBee]

Yay, I'm also happy that your new one got checked and looks good.
I've had our Amazon for 7 months now and poop.changes with what he ate that day, how.much water consumed, whether he had a bath etc. Big poops in the morning, large ones after naps, lots of different sizes during the day. I am keeping my guy flighted for the moment and he always pops before he flies so.sometimes we get real small ones too.

 

[LakeDesire]

My birds droppings change when I change their diet. My amazon's dropping has a separate clump of feces and a larger, more liquidity urine that she drops at the same time. Sometimes there is more feces vs. urine depending on how much she's been eating v. drinking.

Let us know how the vet goes!

 

[christinereed]

Thanks for updating us on how the vet visit went. I also thought your poop pictures looked normal. Emmy's poop is normally green, but it can look reddish depending on what she eats. She likes peppers and I have given her mini peppers and dried chili peppers to chew on.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

I'm glad you took him to the vet Michael. I also think the poop pics look perfectly normal. In the morning birds tend to have one very large poop and through out the day they will change depending what they have eaten or if they have recently been drinking. For instance, if you feed a grape or two, the next several poops will tend to be very loose or watery. If you feed fruits and veggies in the morning then the following poops will have color and "loosness" accordingly. If the bird always eats seeds or pellets and nothing else then the poops will always look the same depending on water intake around the time of that poop. Good luck and keep and eye on the weight.