In 2016 I decided to start manufacturing and selling the things I designed and built for my own bird room. Yes, this includes the Automated Watering Device that so many people have viewed and liked over the years. See my website or Facebook page for more info.
Just rescued a pigeon. Was wondering how they would get the light through their feathers when I was told to buy a UVB for D production 😂. Using a light for Circadian rhythm makes so much more sense to me. Thank you. And thank you for explaining all of it so I can understand.
Kind of confused here. On your site you guys say "But, good UV-emitting bird lighting, fitted correctly, does help captive birds immensely." What lights are you referring to exactly? Full spectrum lights? The ones you sell, or the ones that are making these claims? Just trying to understand so I am not wasting money, and obviously want a happy pet.
I have the 18 inch light and sunset timer from M&M Cage company. If I buy the 24inch light, would I be able to combine that with my 18 inch light & sunset timer using the DC splitter under the same power outlet? Looking to order soon but unsure if it’ll work.
Hey there, I noticed that your nights don't have diffusers on them. That is concerning because LEDs are harmful to the birds eyes if they look directly into them
Good question. Unlike other sources of lighting where all of the light comes from one bright bulb my lights have many diodes that produce light spread out over the entire distance. For example, my 24” light has 148 diodes therefore each diode is .05% as bright as an incandescent bulb.
I’ve read reviews where flickering has occurred and they die after a year. These are just ordinary LED lights. Are these really providing our pets birds with the required UVA/UVB that they need?
My lights were designed specifically for birds with safety as a number 1 consideration. 7+ years of improving the wellness of countless thousands of birds and thousands of happy customers…no deaths. DO NOT implicate my product with your offhanded and ignorant comments about something as serious as death without having indisputable evidence.
@@markschack5668 Read the Amazon reviews where these lights have died after a few months starting off with flickering. You still did not answer the question, your lights are just ordinary LED lights and my question was, do they provide the required UVA/UVB??
@@markschack5668 You also misunderstand me, I'm talking about the lights dying out, and not the birds, after having been in use for not very long, it starts off with the lights flickering. Nothing ignorant here at all so don't get all hot-headed.
I did think you were talking about birds dying. There are occasional power adapters that are faulty. A problem that has plagued me for years even though I buy the most expensive one and keep increasing the amperage. I replace them for free when they die even if they are 5 or 6 years old.
@@Stringbean421 I think there is some misunderstanding going on, the M&M lights do not produce any UVA or UVB light, and they use different colors in the light strip to create a more natural light effect. Look at Marks RU-vid page, he has two videos that illustrate just how any commercially sold light is inadequate to produce UVB / UVA light with the exception of some lizard lights. In the one video he demonstrates just how ineffective they are for birds and possibly dangerous for their sight if used incorrectly.
I just purchased the 24in light for my African Grey hoping to provide more enrichment and balance into his routine. (Amazon’s description for your light is full spectrum by the way!) To be completely honest watching this video from 3 years ago on your “research” which seems very one sided all while showing research that’s from 20 years ago and not proving any comparison to your product doesn’t prove anything to me other than this is strictly marketing. I rather use a bulb from zoomed for avains that’s backed by research and studies showing how in healthy and appropriate usage UVA and UVB is beneficial. Also the fact you’re using regular bulbs and a reptile bulb none of which are even close to be accurate for bird use shows ignorance. I’ll be returning this light and going with my other option.
The point of this video was to pass along proven facts about the science of light and how it’s physically impossible for an artificial light to simulate natural sunlight. The facts are based on physics which hasn’t changed in thousands of years let alone 20. It was not a promotional video for my light. Please pass on all of the research and studies that zoo med has done for their light, I would love to see it. There is nothing published and when I contacted the company and asked for the data I got no reply. To find marketing for my light I have it on my website under the education tab. Be sure to read the article that explains how lights like zoo meds damages a bird’s eyes, it has a link to a published, peer reviewed study on the subject. For anyone reading this post I beg you, please please please do not put a reptile lamp over your bird even if it comes in a box that says it’s for birds.
UVA & UVB in carefully controlled qualities have health benefits.. ( However it is not easy to measure the exposure to such light .. This is why UV suncream is available. ) - - - - - - - - -. Also be aware of UVC light .. UVC light ( allow it looks very attractive ) is DEADLY to all LIFE This wavelength is primarily produced for DISINFECTION & STERILISATION. UVC light sources are ABSOLUTELY NOT be substituted for other uses UVC Tubes and lamps are available cheaply, They are easily mistaken for other types of UV lamps ..
Thanks for the very informative video Mark - I was going to purchase an Arcadia light kit for one of my parrots and stumbled on your video just before I hit the buy button! - I'm so glad I did watch your video from start to finish, as you have proved to me there is no health benefit for my parrot, other than he develops cataracts from sitting under UV- being he already has health problems I will now steer clear of a UV lamp as I don't want to be adding to his ailments. Thanks again, Chris.
Thank you for making this video because we were always weary about this light stuff in cages. We were going to get a light for our Conure Parrot's cage because everyone said it's the right thing to do. After seeing this video, now we are wondering if it's a good thing to have in the cage with our bearded dragon. What's your though on that? What would you do if you had a bearded dragon? Thank you again for filling people like me in on this light business.
Isn’t uvb light helps with production of vit d and synthesis of calcium. I mean I wouldn’t compare a parrot to a human as they do need different stuff in order to be healthy, not forgetting the fact skin and feathers are completely different thing. I do agree with people misusing the lamps as those should not be one for a whole day it’s like sitting on a direct sun everyday which is not healthy to a human what to say to any animal…
There was one study on African Grey parrots that showed a production of vitamin D using UVB but the author was not able to reproduce the results in Amazon parrots. There is more than one study however that shows parrots eyes are sensitive to UVB to the point of causing damage. Vitamin D can be given through diet. www.breedingcage.com/blogs/news/uv-and-its-affects-on-caged-birds www.breedingcage.com/blogs/news/cautions-about-uvb-and-birds
Hey Mark, I just bought your 24” parrot cage light bar off Amazon. I currently run the Arcadia UVA/UVB light. My cockatiel loves getting right under it as it is on top of the cage a few inches away from him. He looks directly into the bulb and fake bites the light bulb and chortles. I’m afraid for his eye sight. I do have one concern though: doesn’t LED also cause macular degeneration and cataracts? Anyways, can’t wait to get your light in the mail. It costed almost a hundred bucks, so I hope my little guy likes it!
My lights only have wavelengths in the visible spectrum which is safe for any bird at any distance. The only published study that I know of concerning damage to bird’s eyes concerns UVB.
???..."highly uneducated Avian Veterinarians"...???...Really...??? So you aren't one of those "internet armchair experts"...???... because you are a "MECHANICAL ENGINEER"...and that makes you a "real expert" on simulated full spectrum lighting for animals...???...and the A.V or those that are A.V's at a zoo who, according to you again ??? are "uneducated"...should not be listed to...but you should be...???...because you "don't sell" a lighting system yourself...???...right...??? Sorry, I've been in and out of the animal trade (cross-species husbandry) and specialize in enclosure design...I think the only thing we can agree on is that the research is broad and deep...SOME!!!...(not all)...lighting manufacturers are unscrupulous and there are a lot of "BoobTubers" that should not be making videos about Avinian Husbandry... I think I will stick with the actual "real experts" that work with birds professionally full-time and have related medical and research degrees dedicated to Avian Husbandry...AND...ARE NOT...trying to sell..." their own bird light"...!!! Feel free to block this from public view, as I'm sure you will...and I would love to see you post an actual expert in Avian Husbandry on here with a Ph.D. behind there name who is a "real expert" on Avian full spectrum lighting needs that support you alleged claims and self-appointed expertise...
I’ve been researching lights all week and have seen so many mixed answers on the right bulbs and this video literally answered every question I had in mind. I will be ordering one of your lights today. Thank you!
Thanks for the video, It's good to see confirmation that the light does in-fact produce UVA and UVB. However, I think that your claims may be a bit misleading. It's important to recognize that UVA and UVB have both positive and negative effects. Yes, they are correlated with cancer, but this is the case with many things. Anything that increases the rate of mutation in your DNA increases your risk of cancer. For example, the most common cause of cancer is probably oxygen. The process of glycolysis involves oxygen and creates energy, but it also creates reactive oxygen species that react with our DNA (pulls electrons away) to cause mutations which can lead to cancer. Of course, we need oxygen to survive, so it's worth the increased risk of cancer. As for the benefits, birds use UVB light (filtered by windows) to synthesize vitamin D, which in turn is needed to process calcium. Logically, any health defects associated with lack of vitamin D or calcium are more likely to occur without UVB exposure. Another thing to consider is that birds can actually see UVA, possibly some of UVB depending on the species. They have been shown to use the UV light spectrum to identify ripe fruits and select mates. Thus, with typical artificial lighting your birds are not able to effectively see their entire spectrum of colours. Keep in mind, even though UVB is filtered by windows, UVA can penetrate windows, so the majority if not your entire bird's UV light spectrum will be present with natural lighting. Currently, my conclusion is that the healthiest thing for your birds is to regularly take them outside when possible for UVB exposure (windows filter this out). However, if this is not possible, for example in Canadian winters, correct usage of a UVA/UVB light may be beneficial to your bird's health. This means no exposure longer than what is needed for your bird to synthesize the necessary vitamin D (definitely not 12 hours a day). Your bird should also have access to "shade" of a sort. Controlled UVA/UVB lighting may also help control behaviours, particularly those associated with mating. I would like to look for some journal articles and do some more research myself, but I think it might be worth purchasing full spectrum lighting in particular for the winter months. If I find anything of interest I'll edit or reply to my comment.
Brilliant video. I've been looking to get a 'health lamp' for my parrot. Having seen your video, I don't think I'm going to bother. You've saved me £100 :)
Brilliant video. I've been looking to get a 'health lamp' for my parrot. Having seen your video, I don't think I'm going to bother. You've saved me £100 :)
So I saw this a few weeks ago and decided to find out more. This is what I was told by an Avian Veterinarian with 25+ years of experience. First they said that often people who are against the UVA lights are typically not Avian Veterinarians and don't understand the feedback loop it triggers within the bird to have just a small little bit of UV light compared to none at all. I directly mentioned you using a meter to determine the light emitted. This was what i was told. There is gland just above the base of the birds tail that secrets oil that contains vitamin D pre-cursors. When the bird grooms it will spread that oil around on them and then ingest that oil. They said the amount of UV light needed to trigger the synthesis is very tiny. In fact a bird only needs to be in the real sun 3 hours an entire week to trigger enough synthesis to give them enough vitamin D. 60 hours a week under a UVA bulb may still not be as good as the sun but the veterinarians were very clear that in their practice and research it makes a big difference for birds. Particularly African Greys with suspected calcium deficiencies. They did say it was very bird breed specific and some birds (like Greys) will benefit greatly whereas others may not. They said it has to do with their natural habitat. In addition, the birds are also reacting to that tiny bit of light by spreading oil around more, and engaging behavior that keeps the synthesis going. The vet I spoke longest commented that the bulbs are so effective that sometimes birds will become hormonal and see a big change in behavior if they are new to the UV light. That is supported by many people on forums that say their birds become hormonal under the lights. I was also told that the birds pick up the UV in their eyes and that triggers behaviors critical to the synthesis. They said even at 5 feet away a bird will get a very tiny but noticeable benefit if they are in those lights all through the day every day. Turn them on when the sun goes up and then when the sun goes down. I would advise everyone to talk to a certified Avian Veterinarian who has experience in these areas. I'm sure some would directly contradict what mine said because even scientists disagree on so many things. One thing is for sure, they don't make money selling supplies or products of any kind so they have no ulterior motives to suggest to you where you should be spending your money. They also deal with hundreds of birds each year in a clinical setting where they run tests and lab work and have real data to support their conclusions. I don't want to sound harsh but my veterinarian literally scoffed at using a UV meter to reach a conclusion on the efficiency of the bulbs. They said it would be like using a floor scale to weigh your bird to see if it is under weight. It's just not calibrated to a degree where you can make a determination of effectiveness. The meter is not a bird and part of what these bulbs are doing is tricking the birds physiology into thinking the sun is there. I'm not saying you are wrong. I'm just saying I trust my veterinarians as they are some of the most knowledgeable in the country. I appreciate your efforts in trying to get to the truth.
To all my bird friends who are reading this. Please do not use any light with UVB on your birds unless you REALLY know what you are doing. Many studies have shown that species of parrots that we keep as pets eye are sensitive to UVB and overexposure will cause problems. Here is a published, peer reviewed study on the subject. If artificial UVB was healthy for pet birds my light would have it. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2010.1100
There’s enough evidence to show that these lights are beneficial for some birds. To tell everyone absolutely do not buy them as someone that is not qualified to do so is irresponsible and possibly harmful. Trust your vets and the most up to date research. Not someone on RU-vid with a device they bought on the internet.
To protect myself from liability I will not answer yes or no To determine if it is I will say that it has been scientifically proven that a birds eyes are sensitive to UVB royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2010.1100 and can lead to cataracts or blindness. Also, if you have a parrot it WILL chew on the light’s power cord. If the light is powered by full line voltage (115VAC in North America and 230VAC everywhere else) it will kill the bird. To read more. www.breedingcage.com/pages/education
@@markschack5668 Maybe u can test them and compare them, they should be without any UVB or UVA but the Websites tells you can produce VItaminD, which SHOULD for safety not produce any UV
I find scientists (actually we’re all scientists) very attractive, it’s just observation and measuring results. As you can tell, I keep posting as thigggts pop into my head. I just saw a uva uvb meter reader on amazon for $161, then there’s a more expensive one. I am trying to learn the difference and am hoping you can teach on this in another video
I must be a rare gal, i’ve watched 10 hour videos on y t specifically, “tricksofthestrades” channel. My attention span is gigantic if i’m watching something newsworthy like you young bald handsome man 😂
Since I work R&D in an optical company, I feel I have to weigh in here. To be precise, it isn't "physically impossible" to generate simulated sunlight from electricity. However, it is in fact "technically impossible" with the technology available to humankind in the year 2022 to do so in the context of anything that would even come close to being reasonable for a home appliance with regards to size and cost. And this isn't likely to change in the next couple of decades. So I would say you are correct in terms of the conclusions you draw, but not quite correct in the semantics you use.
