mslade wrote:Pajarita - that's crazy about UV lamps. Do you have any links where I can read more about this?
I don't have anything saved up (I am using my husband's computer) and you won't find anything on any light bulb manufacturer website, that's for sure! But, if you look at the specs of an avian light, you'll see they are way too high (
http://www.arcadia-bird.com/fluorescent-bird-lamps/) to be put close to the bird. The thing is that reptiles have a third eyelid that protects their eyes from direct sun (which they need for proper metabolism and heat as they are cold-blooded) but birds don't so, if you put the lamp close enough for the bird to get the benefit of the UV, it ends up burning their corneas - I know of two birds that went blind because of it and one that got severe burns on his body. With birds, you can't rely on a UV lamp for their Vit D3 manufacturing, you need to either expose the bird to weak sunlight for 20 minutes a day or you supplement. But you do need to provide them with a good full spectrum light (which have an output of UV) for their vision needs.