Posted by Mr. D on November 20, 2002 at 18:19:50:
In Reply to: My birds need light! posted by Ushman52 on September 15, 2002 at 11:22:57:
Due to the fact that I not only have a Green Wing but also run a reptile rescue I have done a fair amount of research into current sources of UV, "full spectrum" bulbs etc. From everything I've been able to come across birds need a combination of UV-A and B exposure for various aspects of proper physical and quite possibly mental health. Having said that.....
There is a LARGE difference between "full spectrum" and "UV" producing bulbs currently on the market. I have yet to find a "full spectrum" bulb that produces a significant amount of UVA and they simply produce ZERO UVB. I can personally attest to UVB production because I own a quality UVB radiometer due to the fact that we run upwards of 25 UVA & B producing lightbulbs here. As far as flourescent bulbs are concerned, yes, some specialized bulbs i.e. ReptiSun and/or IguanaLight 5.0 bulbs will produce UVB, but little to no UVA and the animal supposed to benefit from exposure MUST be within 12" of the bulb in order to receive ANY exposure to UV rays at all.
If you wander through reptile and bird sections of, say, a PetCompany you'll notice that some "full spectrum" lightbulb packaging may be VERY similiar but the prices may be even higher for the "bird" bulb than the reptile bulb. As for the bulbs themselves - same exact bulbs as far as I can tell.
These days, the ONLY bulb that we use for UV exposure is a mercury vapor bulb - either T-Rex's ActiveUV or ZooMed's PowerSun. These bulbs, depending on wattage and configuration, CAN through both heat and UVA & B rays several feet out from the bulb. UV production is much greater than any fluorescent or incandescent bulb out there but that being the case, they still produce less than 25% +/- of the UV produced by the sun - which really IS the best source for UV A & B so whenever you can get your bird outside for an hour or so do it. Which brings me to ly last point.
Despite the fact that the sun may be shining through a window - either closed OR open with the screen down - very little to no UV will pass through either the glass or the screen. Modern windows are designed to filter out UV rays and window screen works on much the same principle that the little screen on the front of your microwave works.
About the best thing that I could think to recommend is that you contact Boston University and get a copy of the Ultraviolet light study that they performed several years ago or see if a local university has performed any UV research. Pick up a copy of David Krughoff's "Reptile Lighting" at MyIguana.com and read it cover to cover. I would also highly suggest that you look into the mercury vapor bulbs directly at the respective company websites and also cruise through several reptile boards at Kingsnake - the majority of diurnal reptiles require UV exposure so Iguana, Bearded Dragon, Water Dragon, etc. forums may have some helpful insight for you.
Remember, when you are discussing something such as "lighting" for health it is the output of the bulb that is the concern. We've had arguments with local bird groups that simply didn't grasp the fact that the bulb's output didn't change whether you put a Macaw or an iguana under it. They kept going back to the fact that my UV knowledge stems from reptile use and not necessarily bird use so how could I possibly know what I was talking about when it came to birds? They key there is that we're not talking about reptiles, we not talking about birds or any other animals. We KNOW that animals need UV exposure. What many people fail to realize - and what many companies will neglect to tell them - is that not all bulbs are the same and there are currently no regulations as far as claims that can be made for marketing purposes.
If there's anything I can do to help you in the decisions that lay ahead of you please feel free to drop me a line directly as I don't get over here on a regular basis.....
