Full Spectrum Lighting Abstract

[amanda143]

I've been doing research on FSL and someone sent me this article. Thought I would share, for what its worth.

Introduction | Full-Spectrum Light Sources | Lighting Answers | NLPIP

[jimpierce7]

as it is only 4 years old I imagine it still holds true. Once I learned the term "full spectrum" was a marketing term and not scientific, I kind of figured they weren't as much as they claimed.
But I will continue to use mine, 48" 5000k 98 CRI T-8 lights. My birds like them too. I was on a yahoo forum a while back and a couple of the members bought a light meter. They checked the UV out put of several different brands and the best of them you had to be an inch away to get any useful UV light.

[amanda143]

I called and asked one manuf. and asked them how much UV output there was in their "full spectrum" bulb. He told me NONE. lol I almost bought 5 of them. :/

[jimpierce7]

Originally Posted by amanda143

I called and asked one manuf. and asked them how much UV output there was in their "full spectrum" bulb. He told me NONE. lol I almost bought 5 of them. :/

yeah, you don't want to buy them for that. Kind of like the people in gloomy ole Washington state that started the whole foul weather depression thing. Which I agree with living here in Marina California, all fog no sun, do it for the psychological reasons. Good light is good for the head.

[nixity]

There's really no substitute for full blown, unfiltered, natural sunlight - but I do think the "full spectrum" bulbs are more beneficial than just your average generic yellow light bulb.
I've heard the same, that the birds have to be within close proximity to get any real benefit - which is why I usually have some perches close to my bulbs, though not really sure just how much difference it makes.
Not for nothing, the CFL "Full Spectrum" bulbs certainly make the birds plumage more vibrant.
Sort of like using a black light bulb on a coral aquarium vs a natural sunlight bulb - the colors just pop better with the full spectrum bulbs.

That being said - there's NO reason to buy they ridiculously expensive, $29 each, "bird" specific full spectrum bulbs from avian websites.
9 times out of 10 they are no different than the "daylight" full spectrum CFL bulbs you can get at home depot, which are less than $10 for a 4-pack.

[LADYBIKERMOMUSMC]

23 Watt E26 Medium Base Mini-Spring 5500K Full Spectrum Compact Flourescent Spring Lamp (CFL) - 100W Incandescent Equivalent
Product Details
Energy Used: 23Watts
Volts:
Type: Mini-Spring
Base: E26
CRI: 90
Length: 4.70"
Diameter: 2.40"
Light Output: 1200 lumens
Average Lifetime: 10000 hours
Color: 5500K

[LADYBIKERMOMUSMC]

The line of products revolves around a very special source of light. The Bulb emits light that is very close to that of natural sunlight. Sunlight and artificial sources of light are measured by color temperature and rendering. If you were to consider the intensity of the sun at noon daylight, it is about 5500 degrees Kelvin (K). Natural light not only provides warmth, but brings out the intensity of colors in a way that artificial fluorescent lighting rarely mimics. The FeatherBrite Full Spectrum 15 Watt Spiral Compact Bulb emits the same color temperature as the sun at high noon.

Natural daylight is also measured at a color rendering index (CRI) of 100, which shows the vibrance and intensity of colors in and around our environment. The FeatherBrite Bulb has a CRI of 91, and will bring out colors in your bird's feathers that you may not have even known existed while using a standard fluorescent cage light.

What's the difference between full spectrum and standard fluorescent lamps?

Full spectrum fluorescent light emits light in all parts of the visual spectrum and some in the ultraviolet range (short-wavelength, high-energy light). To be a full spectrum bulb, the color temperature must be 5000K or greater, and the CRI must be at least 90. A standard fluorescent bulb generally only has a CRI of between 60 and 75, which means the intensity of the source of light is much lower, the temperature is cooler, and there is a noticeable difference or dulling of colors when objects are placed under a standard bulb.

What are the benefits to my bird?

The Bulb is comparable to bulbs used in forms of light therapy for those suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and sleep disorders. A full spectrum bulb can help reestablish the body's natural rhythm, which controls things like timing of sleep, hormone production, body temperature, and other biological functions. These are the same effects the Bulb can have on a bird.

Some major benefits will provide for your bird:

Prepares bird for seasonal changes
Encourages breeding behaviors
Strengthens immune system
Lowers obsessive/compulsive behavior frequencies
Relieves psychological distress
Mimics a bird's natural environment
Aids in Vitamin D Synthesis
Maintains constant environmental temperature
Aids a bird's visual acuity
Increases the longevity of the captive bird
And the above reasons are just a start!

[SDavid]

I'll assume this is from a bulb manufacturers website because it reads like other "full spectrum" bulb advertisements.

"These are the same effects the Bulb can have on a bird."

I wonder what studies they did on birds to proove this and how extensive. It seems the wording here is very vague as to the solid link between their bulbs and the benefit to birds. Like they're making claims but not really.


Prepares bird for seasonal changes
Encourages breeding behaviors
Strengthens immune system
Lowers obsessive/compulsive behavior frequencies
Relieves psychological distress
Mimics a bird's natural environment
Aids in Vitamin D Synthesis
Maintains constant environmental temperature
Aids a bird's visual acuity
Increases the longevity of the captive bird


Either way, I personally wouldn't put my faith in a bulb to do these for my bird. They can be achieved in many ways.

[magdalena]

When I got my first avian bulb and stuck it right next to Little Bird's cage you could visibly see the difference in her face it was like a blind person being able to see again, she clambered all over checking out her now colorful toys and then made super happy noises. Her grey feathers were all actually purple and gorgeous.

I put them in every outlet and whether or not they work from only inches away or whatever the birds love them and the colors in the house are so much more clear. They still got outside time when it was warm but I absolutely stand behind avian or even just daylight or plant lighting if for no reason other than birds see in a broader color spectrum than we do so only showing them muted colors doesn't seem fair.

[amanda143]

That's a good point Magdalena, I hadn't thought of that.