3-28-22 Annie Replenishing Her Gastrolith Supply

Gastroliths, more commonly called "gizzard stones", are small pieces of gravel/rocks/sand that birds eat and store in their gizzard. Stones held within the gizzard act effectively as "teeth" for birds, breaking down the food they eat before it gets to the stomach.

[hillaryburdick]

This is so interesting. I learn something new every day here.👍

[gertrudewest]

Why gravel? Every bird I know of placed on gravel is prone to ulcerative pododermatitis.

[BudaKhan]

The rocks are for her gizzard? I didn’t realize raptors used those.

[gertrudewest]

If it was for the gizzard, they are way too large. Only seed eating birds need grit. Those stones should be removed. Something is not right. Stones are also known to damage their tarsal pads.