Birds need light but that doesn’t mean you can use reptile lights for birds?
Every bird cage should be clean, safe, and improved with the right type of lighting.
Can you use Reptile lights for Birds?
No, Reptile lights are not meant for birds, Reptile lamps are not safe for birds and should never be used. They can hurt your birds’ eyes. Since birds need the right type of light, the Zoo Med lamps are specially designed for birds, as long as they’re kept in a safe place.
Reptile lights emit heat and offer little value to your bird. Instead, reptile lights put your birds in more danger.
Just like the name depicts, reptile lights are reserved for reptiles and should be used only for reptiles – there is a reason for that.
Instead of using reptile lights for your birds, it’s highly recommended that you consider other avian-friendly light sources to use for your birds.
The benefits of using a good avian-friendly light source include the following:
- It offers consistent lighting
- It keeps your bird energetic
- It is safe for your bed and easy to set up
So, can you use reptile lights for birds? No, but if you need lighting for your birds, you can light up your birdcage or its ambiance with the appropriate strategy.
This post will guide you on how to provide better lighting for your birds instead of using reptile lights and the right strategies you should adopt as a bird owner.
If you follow this guide, your birdcage is going to be well illuminated and will look the way it’s supposed to be.
Tips on Lighting your Birdcage
1. Use a Specialized Lamp
A specialized lamp is the best option for those who want a targeted light solution that is safe for their birds. It is the best artificial option that is readily available on the market.
A specialized lamp is powerful, well-designed, and will light up your birdcage.
The beauty of having a specialized lamp is that you can set it up to regulate the amount of light entering the birdcage.
With the specialized lamp, you will be able to supply your birdcage with adequate lighting all round the clock without having to worry about the sun going down or having to worry about fading light sources.
An example of such a specialized lamp is the Zoo Med AvianSun Deluxe Floor Lamp.
This lamp is easy to set up and is going to yield amazing results once it’s fully set up. You can try out a specialized lamp today to see how your birds react.
2. Focus on Natural Light Sources
Natural light sources are the best for your birds. The easiest way to get natural light for your birdcage is to place the birdcage close to your window and allow natural light to flow into the cage.
This will enable your birds to fit their natural pattern. Natural light is essential for birds and should be your number one focus when you need to light up your birdcage.
Focusing on natural light sources is better than artificial sources. This is why you’re always better off to use natural light for your birdcage.
You can still do better by placing your birdcage in a room that is already flooded with natural light.
Rather than considering adding reptile light to your birdcage, you can simply focus on natural light because it will do a good job during the day.
3. Brighten the Surrounding Environment
Instead of illuminating the birdcage or focusing the light source inside the birdcage, you can think about brightening the surrounding environment.
For instance, if you have your birdcage set up in the bedroom, you can set up a strong light source in your bedroom to emit light.
This is a great way to light up your birdcage and yet keep the main light away from the birds.
Don’t forget to still add natural lighting to your birdcage from outside.
4. Avoid Heated Light Sources
This is a very important tip that every bird owner must note. A heated light source, as well as reptile lights, will only put your birds under tremendous duress.
Instead, use light sources that do not emit heat and are avian-friendly. Heat-emitting lights will only warm up the birdcage and make it the birdcage uncomfortable for your birds.
As much as possible, avoid heat-emitting light sources. They are very dangerous for your birds.
However, if you still want to use reptile lights for your bird, then use reptile lights with a color temperature of 5500k or less. These are fine for your birds.
Most reptile lamps are in the same color temperature range as bird bulbs. Such a reptile lamp will pose no danger. But reptile lamps with higher color temperatures (6000k to 7500k) are dangerous.
Keeping this in view, what kind of light do birds need?
Birds need Ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light plays a vital role in birds, especially the UVA light.
UVA light is important for birds because UVA rays are in birds’ visual spectrum. This means birds can see UV light! Without UVA light, birds are essentially colorblind to light.
Can birds sleep with lights on?
Generally, birds can’t sleep with lights on. Just like humans, birds also need dark sleeping time.
Light, as well as other activities, will keep your birds awake. This is because the bird’s instincts are to stay awake during the day as their predators might be present.
If you keep lights on for birds, you might observe some health problems in your birds due to sleep deprivation.
Do birds need sunlight?
Naturally, birds need sunlight for the production of Vitamin D, development of organs, hormonal balance, and feather and skin health.
Birds require exposure to a minimum of 30 minutes of direct sunlight per week for adequate production in Vitamin D.
However, the more you expose your birds to sunlight, the better for them.
Most bird owners risk the health of their birds by keeping them indoors all day without exposing them to sunlight.
Just as you tend to lack vitamin D when you’re stuck inside an office, your birds will become deficient in vitamin D if they don’t have an adequate source of natural sunlight.
Fortunately, some birdcage lights and full-spectrum avian lights can provide a similar solution.
When set up properly, a UV light will make your birds healthier and happier.
Are birds attracted to light?
Yes, birds are attracted to light. This is common with night-migrating birds.
Night-migrating birds can be injured or killed in a single night at just one building. Sometimes, birds may flutter around the lighted windows until they are exhausted.
Attraction to light is often responsible for birds colliding with the buildings and falling to the sidewalks below.
Are UV lights good for birds?
Yes, UV lights are good for birds. The benefits of UV light for birds necessitates that all birds should receive some exposure.
UV light can help your bird to maintain good bone density and can also help them to stimulate exercise.
Things to Consider When Choosing Lights for Your Birds
- Light Spectrum: Does the light bulb provide full-spectrum lighting along with both UVA and UVB?
- Price: How much would the light bulb cost you.
- Safety: Is the light safe for your birds? Are the wires or other component that the light comes with it well protected from touching your birds?
- Building quality: Are the lights and its component made from materials that are durable, sturdy, and will last, or are they made from flimsy and cheap materials?
- Ease of setup: A good bird light must come with a simple design and must be easy to install, remove, and re-positioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are reptile lights bad for birds?
There are different reasons why reptile lights are bad for birds. These reasons include the fact that the light has so much heat, it can cause blindness to the birds and duress. If you’ve been using reptile lights for your bird, even if you haven’t noticed any severe damage, you should switch the lighting you use before any damage is done. Follow any options recommended in the article for a safe way to light up your bird’s cage.
Do birds need artificial light?
Yes, birds need light. It can be unclear to new bird owners why lighting is so recommended even though there’s enough light during the daytime for them to see, and they do not sleep with the lights on. The reason why birds need light has nothing to do with enabling them to see (although that can be a plus). Since birds need sunlight to sustain their well-being, when they are indoors, they need lighting that can provide these benefits and more.
Can I substitute reptile lights for full spectrum lights for my bird?
Yes, you can substitute reptile lights for full spectrum lights for your bird. It is recommended to use full spectrum lighting for your birds because it is similar to daylight.
Can birds have too much light?
No, birds cannot have too much light. Birds require at least six hours of sunlight daily and when they are not in the sun, placing them under full spectrum light is ideal. The only time your bird wouldn’t need any light is when they’re asleep.
Can I use artificial lighting rather than sunlight for my bird?
It depends on the type of bird you have. Some birds can thrive indoors without receiving sunlight, but others require several hours of daylight daily and will not survive. Note that placing your bird close to a window during the daytime will make a small difference.
Can I stop birds from being attracted to light?
Yes, you can stop birds from being attracted to light. Migratory birds are often attracted to the lights outside of our homes, and because of that, they often crash into walls or windows. Some steps you can take to help solve the problem include turning off any lights you don’t need or by installing covers over the lights in your home. You should also consider dimming your lights at night time, using a warmer color of light, and if you must keep the lights around your home on, ensure you face them downwards.
How many lamp lights does my bird need?
Usually, one full spectrum lamp light is sufficient to meet your bird’s daily needs. If you have more than one type of bird, you might want to invest in another lamp light. Your sole focus should be on ensuring that the birds get enough light, even with one lamp.
Conclusion
Can you use reptile lights for birds? No, reptile lights are risky for birds. Instead, consider less risky and versatile light options that won’t harm your birds or put them in danger.
Reptile lights are dangerous to your birds. We recommend that you turn it off at once.
It’s better to have no lighting at all for your birdcage than use the wrong lighting – reptile lights – until you are able to obtain an avian light
Reptile lights are best left for reptiles like snakes and not for birds.
If you need light sources for your birds, it’s best to look out for avian light or the recommended lighting options in this guide!
