can birds control their bowel movements

Our lovebird, for example, practically potty-trained himself — he “goes” automatically when picked up and held over a trash can or piece of tissue paper set down for that purpose. Our cockatiel Torque acted “antsy” as a sign its time to “poop” him (Tcsh, alas, is far more subtle about it, and in fact seems to deliberately poop on his less-favorite-human – while he seems to avoid pooping on his most favored human subject).

It helps to realize that most parrots (cockatiels, lovebirds, larger birds) have some sort of instinctive desire not to poop on their favorite human perch. I dont know how this evolved, but its there. So, how does this training process work?

Its actually very similar to potty-training a dog. Dog books will tell you to learn and anticipate when the dog will go to the bathroom: right after waking up, right after eating, etc etc (though it depends on the dog); youre supposed to take the dog to the right spot every time you think hes likely to go, wait til he does his stuff (repeating a key phrase all the while, even if you feel like an idiot for it), and then praise him profusely. Birds are a lot like that, with one really BIG difference: they go as often as once every few minutes!

So the trick is to get in the habit of picking up the bird every few minutes — you really have to learn to watch your bird to figure out the timing — and then hold it over the appropriate object (newspaper, trash can, cage, whatever), repeat a simple phrase, and wait for the “plop.” Then, praise the bird profusely and give it back its previous perch.

Thus, the secret is to develop the routine of picking up your bird every few minutes (you really need to watch it to learn when to do this). After that, hold it over the proper object (a newspaper, trash can, cage, whatever), say a short phrase, and watch for the “plop.” After that, lavish the bird with praise and return its former perch.

Understanding that most parrotsincluding cockatiels, lovebirds, and larger birdshave an innate inclination to avoid pooping on their preferred human perch is helpful. I dont know how this evolved, but its there. So, how does this training process work?.

Its actually very similar to potty-training a dog. Dog books advise you to observe and predict when your dog will relieve himself, such as immediately after eating or waking up, though this varies depending on the dog; you should take him to the appropriate location each time you believe he will, wait until he completes his business (repeating a crucial phrase throughout, even if you feel foolish about it), and then lavish him with affection. That and birds are similar, but there’s one HUGE difference: birds can migrate as frequently as once every few minutes!

For instance, our lovebird has practically potty trained himself; when he is picked up and held over a trash can or piece of tissue paper placed there specifically for that purpose, he “goes” instinctively. Our cockatiel Torque indicated that it was time to “poop” him by acting “antsy.” Sadly, Tcsh is much more subdued about it and even appears to intentionally poop on his least favorite human while avoiding his most beloved human subject.

In the end, I cant say for sure. Various factors may be involved, but regardless of the situation, Leslie is incredibly fortunate. I suppose our chickens at Science World don’t respect us as much as the rooster did because they occasionally poop on us when we handle them. Because there aren’t many published papers on the subject, I predict someone will do a master’s project on the fascinating science of birds pooping. If any readers have any further leads, please leave a comment! When people ask, “So, what do you study?” at parties, I’m sure that person would be popular.

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This is such an interesting question, and not an easy one to answer. Although birds dont have the same kind of muscled sphincter that we do, which is meant to control when we choose to go, they do still have some muscles around their cloaca, which is their everything holeeggs and excrement all come from the same place! I couldnt find a lot of peer-reviewed science on the subject (where are all the bird-buttologists?), however I did find one paper on duck- derrière-science from the 80s. In it, the authors speculate that birds have something called a rectocoprodeal sphincter, which helps control the flow of feces, at least a little bit. That said, birds still dont have the same level of control as we do.

In deference to his friend, Leslie’s cock probably senses when a poop is about to happen and jumps off her lap at the appropriate moment.

FAQ

Do birds control their bowels?

In it, the authors speculate that birds have something called a rectocoprodeal sphincter, which helps control the flow of feces, at least a little bit. That said, birds still don’t have the same level of control as we do.

Are all birds incontinent?

Yes, they can control their elimination. Most birds don’t appear to care very much about where they deposit their wastes but that does not mean that they’re incontinent. For a great many animals, peeing and pooping is just something that happens periodically.

Why can’t birds be potty trained?

Some birds have a stronger instinct than others. Lovebirds, for example, seem to have have more of a “don’t poop on the human” sense than cockatiels. Ours practically taught himself. But remember all birds are still individuals.

Can animals control their bowel movements?

Many animals display control over their bowel movements and urination. Our pets, for example, can often be trained to do their business in specific venues of time and place. Many wild animals also display some control, but do not control it for precisely the same reasons that humans do.