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When a parrot is kept in captivity the importance of light and specifically the correct type of light and the exposure the parrot receives to light are often underestimated and not properly understood. As an example I'm sure that every parrot owner has known someone or has heard of someone that thought it would be adequate to place a birdcage next to the window for a few hours a day, incorrectly thinking that their bird was getting sufficient light. Hopefully you know that this is completely untrue and actually poses a danger to the parrot.
Parrots like nearly all birds rely heavily on their eyesight, it is their primary sense for seeking out food, looking out for predators or dangerous situations as well as being an integral part of their mating rituals. This is why parrots have such vibrant and attractive plumage. So reducing the quality of light or indeed the time exposed to light can cause parrots to become unduly stressed and even depressed.
In addition to the parrots mental health, light plays a very important role in their physical well being also. The reason that placing a birdcage next to a window is no good is because parrots need to be exposed to the full range of natural sunlight including the UVB and UVA rays that windows block out. That means that most artificial light is no good also as they don't emit anywhere near the full spectrum of light that sun rays provide. The reason that full spectrum light is so important is because it aids in the synthesis and regulation of the vitamin D3 in parrots which in turn allows them to absorb the required amount of calcium from their food as well as help with the regulation of molting and the growth of healthy feathers.
It is important that a parrot owner invest in a full spectrum light which imitates natural sunlight and provides the parrot with the exposure to all of the light spectrum which it needs. You can purchase stand alone lights or ones that fix on to a birdcage, however if you choose one that fits onto your parrots cage you must make sure the light is around 3 feet away from your parrot and that the fixings for the light will not cause your bird any harm, especially if the parrot tries to nip and chew at the fixing. Prices for full spectrum lighting systems start from around $40 for just a full spectrum bulb which can be screwed into to a screw based socket through to around $200 for a standalone light that can be positioned and twisted into shape for convenience.
Now that you know that you need a full spectrum light the next step is to try and replicate as much as possible the natural lighting environment that your parrot feels comfortable in, remembering that in their natural habitat these birds would be receiving many hours of daylight each day. Some owners suggest waiting 30 minutes to 1 hour after sunrise to switch on the full spectrum light and then switching it off the same time before sunset to try and recreate a natural photo-period. Other parrot owners suggest buying 2 separate lights and switching one on at sunrise and the second one after circa 2 hours repeating the process in reverse toward the end of the day, so in effect you are producing for your parrot a sunrise and sunset effect with the single light and full daylight with both lights switched on.
It is important that the lighting requirement of your parrot is not overlooked or underestimated and that you invest in at least one quality full spectrum light to help maintain your parrots health and happiness.
Robert Markman is a parrot lighting expert and has been caring for parrots for over 18 years.. For more great information on parrot lighting visit http://www.parrotadviceguide.com.
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