What Is the Buildup on Finches Behinds?

Healthy finches bathe enthusiastically and eagerly accept favorite fruits, vegetables and premium seed mixtures. They have clear, musical voices, bright eyes and shiny, clean feathers. The presence of any build-up in the vent area signifies health issues.

  1. Diarrhea

    • Diarrhea caused by illness or a reaction to certain foods, can cause a build-up of fecal matter on the finch's vent feathers. The feathers clump together, often exposing the skin around the cloaca, or the opening from which feces exit the body. This is not a normal condition and you should take your finch to an avian veterinarian to be checked.

    Breeding Finches

    • Female finches in breeding mode often sit in their nests for extended periods of time, seldom leaving the nest even to defecate. During this time, fecal matter builds up in the bird's body, resulting in large droppings when the female finally relieves herself. Occasionally, some of the excess fecal matter sticks to the female finch's vent, leading to a few clumped feathers.

    Discoloration

    • The presence of discolored feathers in the vent area sometimes signifies that the finch has eaten brightly colored foods. Beets, blueberries or other strongly colored fresh foods can produce colorful droppings, as can some manufactured foods, such as pellets or extruded foods containing extra coloring agents. Diarrhea or certain illnesses can also cause discoloration.