Arcadia UV Lighting E27 lamp upgrade

[Mo33]

I've just purchased a replacement UV lamp for my little parrotlet.
Have always used the Arcadia E27 Bird Lamp Compact Fluorescent. 20W
12% UV-A and 2.4% UV-B ratio. Code: CFBC20X

Their new E27 bulb is different - 30% UV-A and 2.4& UV-B
So I checked with my distributer as I thought it was rather a massive jump from 12% to 30% in the UV-B and my bird is very little. They looked into it and the supplier answered as follows:

"The Arcadia PureSun Compact UV Bird Lamp - Screw Fitting has updated glass, updated electronics, a better spectrum, higher output and is altogether an improved lamp"

They also passed on a message of assurance that my bird will certainly receive the optimum levels required from using the lamp.

I'm not saying it's not better but might it be too strong for my bird? Does any one else have any experience with the new version bulb please?

 

[SailBoat]

Why do you feel that your Parrot needs this product?

Has a recent full spectrum blood test found that your Parrot is deficient in Vitamin D?

 

[Mo33]

Why do you feel that your Parrot needs this product?

Has a recent full spectrum blood test found that your Parrot is deficient in Vitamin D?

1) UVA wavelengths are those responsible for allowing birds to see their full potential range of 100 million colours with their tetrachromatic vision. Since ultraviolet light does not penetrate through glass, indoor birds will receive no benefit from the natural UV in sunlight, so their world will be forever dull, if not assisted.

UVB component will allow the parrot its full spectrum of colour vision, plus the ability to manufacture vitamin D3.

(The above extracts taken from The Parrot Society UK magazine vol.52. Jan '18)

2). N/A

3). Do you have any experience of the lamp mentioned in my previous post?

 

[SailBoat]

Why do you feel that your Parrot needs this product?

Has a recent full spectrum blood test found that your Parrot is deficient in Vitamin D?

1) UVA wavelengths are those responsible for allowing birds to see their full potential range of 100 million colours with their tetrachromatic vision. Since ultraviolet light does not penetrate through glass, indoor birds will receive no benefit from the natural UV in sunlight, so their world will be forever dull, if not assisted.

UVB component will allow the parrot its full spectrum of colour vision, plus the ability to manufacture vitamin D3.

(The above extracts taken from The Parrot Society UK magazine vol.52. Jan '18)

2). N/A

3). Do you have any experience of the lamp mentioned in my previous post?

Sadly, UV is poorly understood as to its ability to penetrate glass. It takes two glass layers separated with a film barrier and a dead space to slow UV enough that it doesn't cause the loss of color in fabric.

Specific to Birds and in this case Parrots; just how does the Parrot's body accept UV as their skin is fully covered with feathers, and more importantly, their skin is far too thin for it to act as the medium.

Great caution needs to be in place when a product designed originally for reptiles is used with Avians. It is very easy to cause issues with their eyes when the product is far too close. A common method of testing is to place the product, the same distance from your eyes as you have set up for your Parrot. Turn it on and turn it off, if you see spots in your sight, the light source is too close and/or too intense. You will be surprised as to just how far that light source needs to be shifted away.

This forum has extensive discussions over decades as to UV and its misuse with Avians.

Sorry, but its not N/A, as there is no reason to assume a need if one does not exist.

 

[Flboy]

Your little one will get the same benefits from full spectrum bulbs!
But even then, not as a bake lamp on his cage!

 

[Cycletim]

We had Avian bulbs they are not all they are cracked out to be. Our grey got a bad sunburn near his eyes. UVB is what we as humans wear sunblock to avoid. There is also no real research on if bulbs help. There is no substitute for real sunlight. A few hours per week is all your feathered friend needs. You can put an ordinary CFL bulb in the Avian bulb fixture to give them some good mood lighting.