My Tiel keeps using his water dish as a toilet!

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My Tiel keeps using his water dish as a toilet!

Postby DMC on Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:11 pm

Hello all,
My tiel is 1 year and 2 months old. Wtihin the last two months he's been crapping in his water dish, mostly at night. I cover him at night and in the morning when I uncover him he leaves a little suprise in his water dish. I was wondering if this behavior is normal and what might be causing it? And is there a way to stop it? Thank you for your response!


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  • Re: My Tiel keeps using his water dish as a toilet!

    Postby MFids on Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:31 am

    It's pretty "normal" if it could be considered normal.

    Best way to "correct" the behavior? Get a water dish with a lid! Or a top. A covered dish. You *could* 'train' your tiel to use a bottle instead, but I don't recommend that as the only source of water if it's going to be used. So a covered dish would probably be a safer bet.
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    Re: My Tiel keeps using his water dish as a toilet!

    Postby bostonbudgie on Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:33 pm

    Mine like to do that too. I think they just like to sit on the edge of the dish and when "nature" strikes BOOM!
    I have a hard time preventing them from pooping in their water dish too. I just change the water every time they do it that's all..
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    Re: My Tiel keeps using his water dish as a toilet!

    Postby Claudia on Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:48 pm

    hmm "what causes it?" well they are birds, not toilet trained cats or dogs :wink:
    If he does it mainly at night, chances are he likes to sleep on or near his water dish so simple solution would be to take his water dish away during the night :)
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    Re: My Tiel keeps using his water dish as a toilet!

    Postby christie on Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:45 am

    My birds drink during the night, and when they first wake up, so this is not a good solution in my house. Birds should have a clean water dish every morning anyway, so even if they do poop in the dish overnight, the morning water dish change will make sure they have clean water.

    Is your bird perching on the water dish, or do you have perches situated above it? If the perches are above it, move the perches. If he/she is perching on the dish, try moving the dish in the cage. Sometimes moving the water dish up or down in the cage, the bird will find another place to sleep.

    If you water bottle train your bird, keep a water dish, as the nozzle can become clogged during the day.
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