[chapala]

The UV lights in tests have not done well as far as providing Vit. D3, necessary for Calcium utilization. Good light though is very important visually for parrots. Cuttlebone also will not provide Vit. D3. The best ways to make sure your bird gets Vit. D3 is to get the bird outdoors (safely in a cage or aviary) in natural sunshine at least 1/2 hour a week, feed a percentage of the diet in a good, natural pellet that is supplemented with
D3, or add to the diet Stonyfield Farm's plain non-fat yogurt with D3 added about twice a week in very small amounts (1/4 to 1/2 tsp. depending on size of bird).

Calcium needs can be met with fortified pellets, and with several green vegetables which are a good source - collard, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion leaves. Also broccoli and cooked legumes. Calcium in a supplement form should not be given unless your vet recommends it, normally after blood work shows low Ca levels.

Cuttlebone also contains Calcium in the form of Calcium carbonate, not as available as some other forms.