macaws and ultraviolet light

[serge_09]

so i got Lola's wings clipped at the weekend! still feel badly about it to be honest and whats even worse is she should of had them done while in boarding as i was away and they hadn't... i had to see (or should i say hear as i looked away) it being done :| but although a bit moody initially it should provide a better quality of life for us both.

anyway... whilst there i was told that when in sunlight parrots see in uv, allowing them to see the full spectrum of light opposed to the regular colors we see. this got me thinking, as i live in england and sun isnt exactly common here, what about these lamps ive seen/heard about...

i think i quite ignorantly assumed they were some sort of breeding accessory and never researched them, wondered if anyone uses them, what the benefits are and how much would you recommend using them? do you feel your bird enjoys it/benefits from it?

thanks in advance

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm going to give you a plethora of links, as this subject has been chewed on excessively.

THIS is a fabulous link right here: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/35383-lighting-information-birds.html

And here are some recent discussion on the subject:
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/42216-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/41867-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/cages/41073-help-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/37767-does-anyone-here-use-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/37273-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/33330-full-spectrum-vs-daylight-lighting.html

 

[Birdman666]

In short, it's pretty much a boat load of crap designed to sell lamps. And parrots have been seriously injured (burned) by people putting the lamps too close.

Hey we all get grumpy when we don't get to see the sun or go outside for extended periods.

It's kind of understandable.

 

[serge_09]

Thank you Wendy I'll take a look, I should have took a Look around the forum but it was a sneaky post at work lol

So in your personal opinion BirdMan it's not something worth investing in for her? You don't use them yourself?

Thanks

 

[Birdman666]

Never have. Never will.

I have however, seen birds that had been burned by them because the idiot didn't figure out that you're supposed to put the thing OUTSIDE the cage, not inside. Bird gets too close to a hot bulb... and there's a whopping vet bill, plus a lifetime disability.

So, yeah, these things are just fantastic.

Otherwise, I really haven't formed an opinion...

 

[serge_09]

Never have. Never will.

I have however, seen birds that had been burned by them because the idiot didn't figure out that you're supposed to put the thing OUTSIDE the cage, not inside. Bird gets too close to a hot bulb... and there's a whopping vet bill, plus a lifetime disability.

So, yeah, these things are just fantastic.

Otherwise, I really haven't formed an opinion...

well id never want to expose a bird to that danger... we'll just have to make the most out of the sun we get