Hello everyone, there is an announcement that I would like to make that I believe will be of importance and interest to all who share their lives with birds—of every species!

As many of you know, I began researching avian lighting ten years ago. This first led to the Birds & Lighting Website, a series of articles in print and on the web, and gradually my work managed to filter down into the practice and lore of bird keeping. For those years, the challenge was to sort out what of the “human” designed lamps served our fids well—and which ones did not. Over the course of time with few exceptions these options have not really improved. A couple years ago while reviewing what was out in the internet and product market it occurred to me that a task was left undone—that was to define what current offerings lacked, and how best to provide a better solution.

After a great deal of research and testing, last year I decided to go out on a limb and offer not just an improved full spectrum lamp, but a complete lighting system specially for birds. This has led to the SpectraBird Lighting System, which saw its formal public launch yesterday. I invite everyone to visit the website and see what you think. I am certain you will agree that there is no other avian lighting product on the market that that has the same level of quality, care, value, performance and consideration for our feathered friends!

The site of course is spectrabird.com . For those that make a decision that this solution is for them, a 10% discount is being offered to all Parrot Chatter forum members—simply enter the coupon code parrotchatter1. Thanks in advance for your consideration, and this opportunity to serve the avian community

Patrick, I'm impressed. Not only are they good for the birds, but they're very aesthetically pleasing.

Thank you for the discount and update Patrick!!

I have been waiting for your product line. Thanks for offering our members a discount.

thanks so much though, i still haven't decided the best way to light ivy's cage...especially since she is hardly ever in it.

I have that same issue. I solved it by just leaving the light on longer than what I've found is recommended for greys. That way she's bound to get at least close to the recommended dosage.

DO budgies fall into this category about avian lighting..... I am in an apartment and dont get much light except for kitchen and the drapes are open just a tad due to me being on the first floor right at entrance and i hate lookie louos...........

In another thread on this board, the question was raised as to how the SpectraBird line of fluorescent tubes differs from other product offerings--and what benefits are to be had.

All modern fluorescent lights use a mix of different phosphors to make light, anywhere from 3 to 5 unique salts--each one responsible for a specific color range. Inside the tube, a mercury plasma generates a very strong UV light--which causes the phosphor coating on the inside surface of the tube to glow. This is not a "smooth" output of light--rather made up of a number of sharp energy spikes of different color. An output chart for the Philips TL950 is shown below to demonstrate this. All full spectrum tubes, compact fluorescent, and even pet (reptile, fish & so-called avian) share the same characteristics. It is simply how fluorescent lights work.

Note that the blues and greens are very prominent. This is the area of the spectrum that the human eye is most sensitive. The phosphor that makes red is very expensive and does not emit a lot of light--so little is used and as a result levels of red that match sunlight are in little supply.

Our retina and brain conspire together to make this light look "white" or "cool". If you have ever looked at a film photograph taken in a room lit by fluorescent light you see the truth of the matter--the sickly greenish blue cast caused by the sharp energy spikes. Film is not fooled--and neither is the avian eye which processes light quite differently than we do.

Birds require adequate levels of blue and red to modulate hormonal function and decrease bad behaviors such as aggression, picking, and plucking--as well as regulating metabolism and providing a proper visual field. This balance is simply not available in human designed products, or products designed for reptile or aquarium use--as it is not deemed necessary.

SpectraBird design overcomes these deficits in fluorescent design--its purpose is not to trick the human eye, but to provide a balanced spectrum for the avian eye and other glandular receptors. This is accomplished by adding sufficient levels of red and orange back into the spectrum to fill in and more accurately duplicate the composition of natural sunlight.

Second, sharp energy spikes are "remixed" through an additive color process to convert a great percentage of them into yellow, dark blue, and violet--areas that are also diminished in conventional full spectrum devices. This all leads to a smoother, richer, and more balanced output that is properly suited to avian vision.

SpectraBird lights have a technical specification of 5000 Kelvin color temperature at 98CRI, with a UV output of 5%. Balanced lighting increases your bird's visual acuity, presents the proper spectral bands for endocrine and metabolic function, reduces the possibility of picking, plucking, breeding anomalies, and aggression--all leading to a better sense of well being and a happier, healthier bird.

Attached Images

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