Gross i know... sorry

[Mandolin]

OK kind of a weird question but so any other birds taste their poops? Sometimes Kameko will take a poop, turn around and taste it while i am freaking out trying to grab her and stop her. She used to do this a while back but she stopped and now she is doing it again. I noticed from the first time she started this she became very very diligent about cleaning her bum after pooping. The second she poops she turns around to clean up. Can someone tell me why she is doing this. I know it may be natural but it isn't a behaviour i want to encourage. I kiss that beak :x

[dmenace]

my lovie eats his own poop. :omg: I have to scare him away from it. He does clean himslef right away too.

[ottermom]

Sometimes Squeak is interested in her poops, too. I'm glad she's not the only one!

[shylevon]

When birds, and other animals as well, eat or taste their own droppings, it usually means they are missing some minerals from their diet. That is nature's way of recycling minerals, if you pass them through once they will still be there for next time in this chewy little squiggly blob. YUMMMM.

Try getting your birdies a tasty mineral/vitamin block and the behavior should stop.

[wilkiecoco]

I know that some dogs do this, but birds? Wow, we discuss some really "interesting" topics here. :D

[Starstreams]

My dog use to do that, she would turn around and eat the entire thing. It was so grouse but funny at the same time. But she also got ring worms which I think birds can get something similar. Be careful of that. Good point shylevon, I've never thought of that it makes sense.
Mandolin, how many different kinds of foods do you keep in the cage at one time? I usually keep a variety to get some different sources of vitamins; and I've finally got into the habit of putting some veggies such as lettuce, carrots and spinach in a separate bowl.