Benefits of Full Spectrum Lighting

[Wolf]

I can't say about the clamp lamp as mine is in a floor lamp.

[Saber]

Having had reptiles with the clamp lamp style I would just be mindful of how hot they get. Mine got super hot. Also I would not recommend clamping it directly on the cage just in case it would slip. Depending on the clamp style which varies from brand to brand , have a spherical metal piece that is pinched between two metal clamp type pieces which are then attached to the actual metal clamp. The issue is that there is a nut you tighten down which allows you to position the direction of the lamp. Over time the nut can get loose and the lamp droops down a bit. If it's attached directly to the cage then a bird could come in contact with it.

I'll see if I can find a pic...I feel like my explaination is a bit muddy lol.

[Saber]

Ok, so found a perfect video on YouTube to illustrate what I was trying to describe. He is using the lamps for film lighting but does encounter some of the same issues I've noticed as well. As long as you take proper precautions it should be fine and customizable as well

https://youtu.be/Bfv6fJSOA9U

I'm a bit nerdy with lighting on account of my reef tank, lizards, and bird It changes and evolves so quickly as we learn more about the animals we keep - plus a whole lot of trial and error (and melting things..oh and a small carpet fire lol).

I do have my lighting mounted a bit further away then most. I don't like the look of Scooty being under a bright spot light and don't want to risk damaging his eyes. While it may reduce some of the effectiveness I'm ok with that.

[Wolf]

I saw the results of using a reptile full spectrum light on a bird at the normally recommended distance and it was not pretty. The people did manage to save the birds life but, just barely as the bird was severely burned all the way down to the bone in several places. And so it set in my mind the importance of having the right bulb and caused me to place my light further from the bird than what is recommended as well. I would rather not get the full benefit of the light as long as my birds are safe.

[Saber]

Totally agree It doesn't matter if its labeled as a "bird light" either, in my opinion. I always proceed with caution. I also ease into it. Granted , with a CAG, you pretty much have to work up to everything lol. I started using a fixture with a dimmer switch. That way it's at a decreased intensity and then increase that along with duration. Of course....that was after he was finally ok with the dang thing hanging above his cage lol. He gave it the "parrot eye" for weeks before I even turned it on. It took a further 2 or 3weeks if I remember right before I was even "allowed" to hang it over his cage.

You know...so many people refer to the "crazy cat people" out there....they have got nothin on parrot people lol

[Wolf]

I hear you, I don't sleep well and so I visit several forums on a regular basis and I am always running into comments such as "you don't think I am crazy because I shower with my bird" or " I think I heard my bird say this, do you think I am crazy" and many other such comments. My answer to them is always No I don't think you are crazy because of this or this, but I know you are crazy because you have birds living in your house with you. I also have birds in my house and I know for a fact that I am insane. When was the last time your cat or dog told you to stop because it wanted to talk to you? I have a bird that does this rather often.

[liz]

Wolf, is that Mimi? How is she doing?

[liz]

Wolf, is that Mimi? How is she doing?

I put two bulbs in the ceiling fixture.

[Wolf]

Hi Liz;
How are you all doing? I don't get to hear from you very much any more. How is the move going?
Yep! That would be Mimi, that said this. My Lady was being her usual hyperactive self and running here and there. Mimi tried to get her attention by saying to her "Hi! How are ya? " twice. My Lady didn't even slow down, so Mimi yelled at her saying "Stop1 I want to talk to you!" It stopped he in mid stride and I almost fell off of the sofa, I was laughing so hard.

[liz]

I am so excited about her and happy that you got her. I also wonder what she would be like if she had not gone through the trauma.
I thought Rambo was a great communicator but she is amazing. I wish I could meet her. Keep us informed. I want to hear of all her new things.
I just came back from my fourth trip to FL. I closed last Friday. This weekend I will go back and set up the bathroom and take half my kitchen to make it functional. My friend, Becky, is loaning me her three air mattresses. My son will be the first to move and then come back to help me. Until he gets his mobile home set up he can stay in my house.