cockateil eating droppings

Question
Our female one-year old cockatiel eats Zu-Preem pellets, along with whatever I am cutting up - ie. carrots, lettuce, grapes etc.  She has laid 2-3 clutches of eggs, although not mated.   She is active and is out of her cage for the better part of the day.  Then why does she eat both her droppings and those of her best friend, Merlin the budgie?  When she is out of the cage she can always drop in and grab a snack and a drink.  Her eyes are clear and she seems healthy.   Thank you for your time and help.

Answer
Hi, Barbara,

Your bird has a condition called coprophagia.  You can Google this word for more information.  It's usually the result of a vitamin/mineral deficiency in a bird's diet, but can be the result of other reasons as well.

She lays infertile eggs due to hormonal surges.  You can help discourage your tiel from egg laying by reducing her available light to 10-12 hours per day (or 8-10 if necessary).  If she is laying eggs in other places besides her cage, you'll need to restrict her "roaming room."  You don't want her being able to have access to anything where she can lay eggs in.  Don't remove any eggs once she has laid them...allow her to abandom any eggs laid on her own or she will continue to lay and lay and lay.  This can be detrimental to her health.  Be sure she has cuttlebone available to replace any calcium loss.  

Once out of their cages, most parrots do not like to go back inside for fear their humans won't allow them out again!  And they love to have the freedom to roam as they please.

Chrys