Uric acid dihydrate in bird urine.
X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the white excrement from a budgerigar, consists mainly of uric acid dihydrate. Initially this material is in the form of a smectic (or cholesteric) phase, which transforms to the normal crystalline phase either on aging or on removal of the minor (soluble) constituents of the excrement with water or dilute acids.
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D008722:Methods; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000652:urine*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D014527:Uric Acid