Kakariki,
Light to feel at home


Birds see different than us humans do.
Two factors play a major role in this:
  • Birds see a different light spectrum
  • Birds differently perceive the vibrations 
    emitted by the lightsource .
UV-Light plays a far more important role in the birdworld than it does in ours. To us people UV-Light often is just the "stuff" that tans or burns our skin. Birds however see the  wave lenght coverage partially and their eye sight extends into the range of UV-A. 
Studies show that, amongst birds, this wave length coverage is extremely important for the distinction of the sexes and the visual understanding of each other. 
Light penetrates window glass, and thus do birds feel visibly more comfortable in Sun- flooded rooms.klick to enlarge

Light penetrates window glass, and thus do birds feel visibly more comfortable in Sun- flooded rooms.
Vitamin-D3 is made in the body from a previous agent (pro vitamin) which we receive through diet. 
UV-B-light can't penetrate window glass and should be made available to the birds through an artificial source. These sources are on the market by names like: Arcardia- Birdlamp© or Biolux©. Make sure to pay exact attention to the distance between the bird and the light source.
Unfortunately, the intensity of these sources do not range very far into the UV range.

Birds perceive light sources rates below 150 Hz as disruptive. The light of a tube light is not a constant light output but a flashing light wich is focussed on the vision of us people. The human eye perceives light flash sequences from a refresh rate of 75Hz (75 light flashes per second) as a constant flow of light. Sensitive people however respond with malaise, migraine and other symptoms. Therefor the 100Hz technik was introduced in the screen technology. For birds we should use the 150Hz technik.To achieve this refresh rate of frequency, so called electronic ballasts( EDC) are required and neccesary!
klick to enlargeNevertheless these lamps are not a substitute for natural light, but only one way to replace this just a little! Our kakariki exuberantly enjoy their natural open air sunbath and this shows how important natural sunlight is to birds!
Georg & Sabine