Is UV Lighting Good For Birds?

[Grayson]

I found this UV full spectrum lighting for parrots. It explains how a bird's mental and physical health can be affected by whether or not they are exposed to this UV light. I was wondering, is this really necessary? It makes a little of sense, enough that we bought one to try it out, but it hasn't arrived yet.

If you need more info about this bulb, go to http://www.featherbrite.com and you will know what I am talking about.

[Scotty]

Ahh Minnesota with a bird, yep, going to be pretty hard for sunlight in the Winter without freezing your bird...

Hmm UV, interesting question, I've always lived in Tropical climates, sun all year round, so never given it much thought.

I did have reptiles in the past and I know for them it was considered a good thing to help also keep them warm...

BUT from what I gather for the Winter people a good UV spectrum light would be beneficial, so I'd really look into getting one...

Cheers

[Monte]

UV A & B are absolutely necessary. Read the following article:

http://www.mmlights.com/bird%20lights.html

[Pajarita]

Yes, both a good full spectrum (CRI higher than 94 and Ktemp 5500) and a source of UVA (for better vision) and UVB (to help a little with D3 as well as serotonin production) are necessary. Birds are the most visually dependent animals of all the vertebrates and, taking into consideration that most of our pet birds already come to us with impaired vision (from the practice of handfeeding them), a good quality light is essential for their well-being and happiness. And the Lumichromes are good in terms of UV output as well as CRI but the Ktemp is too high at 6500. You can use them during the spring and part of the summer but you would need to switch them to a lower Ktemp for the winter.