Green Urates in Cockatiels: Biliverdinuria and Liver Disease

Green urates in a cockatiel usually refer to a color change in the urate portion of the droppings. In healthy birds, droppings have three parts: feces, urine, and urates. The urates are normally white. When they turn yellow, yellow-green, or lime-green, your vet may describe this as biliverdinuria, meaning bile pigment is being excreted through the kidneys.

Birds handle bile pigments differently than dogs and cats. They do not reliably become jaundiced in the same way mammals do. Instead, liver dysfunction can show up as green-stained urates. That is why a droppings color change can be an early clue that something is wrong internally, even before a cockatiel looks very sick.

Biliverdinuria is a sign, not a diagnosis. It can be linked to liver disease, but it may also appear with infections, toxin exposure, or severe systemic illness. Because cockatiels often hide illness until they are quite unwell, any persistent green urates deserve a timely exam with your vet.

One of the most important causes is liver disease. In cockatiels, this often includes hepatic lipidosis, also called fatty liver disease. Cockatiels are one of the species commonly affected, especially when they eat high-fat seed-heavy diets, are overweight, or have long-term nutritional imbalance. Liver inflammation, scarring, or reduced liver function can all lead to biliverdinuria.

Infectious disease is another major category. Chlamydiosis is especially important in cockatiels because it can enlarge the liver and cause lime-green droppings or urates. Other bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal illnesses may also affect the liver or cause enough systemic stress to change droppings.

Toxins and metabolic stress can also injure the liver. Examples include moldy feed, some household chemicals, heavy metals, and certain medications or supplements used without veterinary guidance. A cockatiel that has not been eating well may also pass greener droppings because there is less normal fecal material present, so your vet will need to sort out whether the color change is coming from the feces, the urates, or both.

Less commonly, green urates may be seen with severe illness outside the liver, including kidney disease or advanced multisystem disease. That is why droppings alone cannot tell you the exact cause. Your vet will interpret them together with diet history, weight trend, exam findings, and testing.

Diagnosis starts with a careful history and physical exam. Your vet will ask about diet, recent weight change, new foods, exposure to other birds, household toxins, and whether the droppings changed suddenly or gradually. Bringing fresh photos of normal and abnormal droppings can be very helpful, because the feces, urine, and urates need to be evaluated separately.

Testing often includes a CBC and blood chemistry panel to look for inflammation, anemia, dehydration, and organ changes. In birds, liver evaluation may include enzymes such as AST and LDH, plus CK to help interpret whether AST is coming from liver or muscle. Bile acids are especially useful for assessing hepatic function in pet birds.

Your vet may also recommend radiographs to look for an enlarged liver or other internal changes. In some cases, ultrasound helps assess the liver more closely and can guide sampling. If infection is suspected, targeted testing such as chlamydiosis PCR from appropriate swabs may be added. For more complex or persistent cases, your vet may discuss liver aspirate, biopsy, or referral to an avian-focused practice.

Because birds can decline quickly, diagnosis is often done in steps. Some cockatiels are stable enough for outpatient testing, while others need same-day supportive care before a full workup.

Prevention starts with nutrition. Many cockatiels do poorly on long-term all-seed diets, which can contribute to obesity and fatty liver disease. Work with your vet on a balanced feeding plan that fits your bird's age, body condition, and preferences. Any diet change should be gradual, because sudden food refusal can be dangerous in birds.

Routine weight checks are one of the best early warning tools. A gram scale at home can help you notice subtle loss before your cockatiel looks thin. Keep a simple log of weight, appetite, and droppings. Birds often hide illness, so small trends matter.

Good biosecurity and hygiene also help. Quarantine new birds, avoid sharing bowls between birds from different households, and clean cages, perches, and food and water dishes regularly. Because some infectious causes of liver disease can spread, especially chlamydiosis, prompt testing of sick birds protects both other birds and people in the home.

Finally, reduce toxin exposure. Keep your cockatiel away from moldy food, cigarette smoke, aerosolized chemicals, scented products, and any medications or supplements not approved by your vet. If you ever notice persistent green urates, do not wait for more dramatic signs before calling.