Zoo Med AvianSun 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Bulb

My avian vet recommended that I provide UVB light for my budgie even though his cage is located in a bright room. Glass windows filter out most UV light, thus creating deficiencies in companion birds and possibly shortening their lives. Despite my vet's recommendation, I decided to do some research on my own. I questioned how a light bulb, which is generally made of glass, could provide UVB light when a window blocked it. I discovered that these bulbs use quartz to let the UV A and B rays to filter out, and that's why they are more expensive than the non-avian, non-reptile "full spectrum" bulbs you find in the hardware store. Once I realized that, I was ready to spend the extra money to get what my budgie needed.The real problem for me was deciding which brand to purchase. I tried a Feather-Brite bulb and "universal cage" fixture that, sigh, didn't fit on the cage I had. I had to return it; however, through this experiment, I saw that avian bulbs would fit into any normal fixture. I didn't need to purchase the light fixtures manufactured for the individual brand of bulb. Because I didn't like the reviews for the Zoo Med floor lamp and had no ceiling low enough to hang a Feather-Brite swag lamp, I decided to purchase this Zoo Med bulb and find my own floor lamp. Although I didn't find an ideal lamp, I did manage to find a decent-looking one in Home Depot that was the right height and that was sturdy enough to endure. If you go this route, make sure the fixture doesn't have anything resembling a nonstick surface; even though the bulb does not get hot, only warm, it's not worth the risk of poisoning your bird.Why get a bulb that provides both UV A and B? (UV B is rarely provided by non-avian and non-reptile bulbs.) According to common wisdom, UV rays help a bird in many ways. First, UV B rays help them metabolize calcium by prompting the production of D vitamins. Humans need sunlight for that purpose as well, which is why our parents wanted us to go outside to play and why we feel so good when we spend time outside. Since most companion birds don't have access to sunlight, these bulbs provide the closest thing to real daylight. Second, UV A rays help their vision because, unlike us, birds are able to see that part of the spectrum and use it to identify fresh food, mates, safe perches, etc., and seeing well helps their psychological well-being as a result. Imagine being kept in a dim room for your whole life. It is theorized that birds might feel that way since, without UV rays, they are not using the whole spectrum of their vision.I know people have said that the Avian Sun bulb is merely a repackaging of a reptile bulb, but because of the more sensitive nature of a bird's reaction to toxins, I didn't want to take a chance that the reptile version was not suited, although I intend to ask my vet at my next visit. Some bulbs apparently use nonstick/Teflon-like technology, and I don't know how to identify them. Many reptile bulbs also provide heat, so you want to avoid those.This bulb supposedly provides the amount of UV that a bird in nature would receive in the shade, so you shouldn't fear that you're blasting your bird with sunburn-causing rays. According to the directions, it is imperative that the bulb is not placed too close to the bird at first because a new bulb emits a lot of UV rays. After about two weeks, it should be moved closer. If you have a fixture that does not have the versatility of adjusting distance, I recommend plugging in a new bulb in a different room or area, and leaving it on for 8 hours a day for two weeks before moving it into position above the cage. These bulbs supposedly need to be replaced every year, even if they don't burn out, because the amount of UV decreases, so most people will have the time to break in a new bulb at the end of their current bulb's life. If, however, you are purchasing your first bulb and cannot adjust its distance from the perch, then your bird can easily survive two weeks without UV rays as long as there is light around him. Before I learned about the importance of UV rays, I had budgies live for five years with their only UV rays coming when I was able to take their cages outside during the warmer months. Of course, I would like my current bird to live longer than that, and that's why I decided to get this bulb. It's no guarantee, of course. But it's my responsibility to provide as healthy an environment as possible.After the initial freak-out phase with seeing the light over his cage, my budgie now perks up when his light is turned on. Because I turn off the lamp when he is out of his case (for several hours a day), he doesn't always get the full recommended 8-10 hours a day, but I figure that 6 hours is better than nothing.-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

I’m so glad I have the option to get these for my birds so that they don’t miss out on vitamin D

Blub is a good "substitute" for sunlight, providing a broad spectrum of light that is not available from incandescent or ordinary florescent bulbs. Birds need sunlight for their health. While my birds (6 zebra finches) receive indirect sunlight, but much less than in nature, the blub makes up for the sunlight deficit. It also brings out the colors in my birds and makes it more enjoyable for me and others to watch or view them, since it provides a diffused canopy of light. The birds are much more active when the light is on. Thus, I would conclude that the birds enjoy the light. Blub should be placed where birds do not stare at it (for example, place light above the cage and not on the side of the cage). Staring at the light could damage the birds' eyes. Bulb was very bright for about 5 days, during the break-in period that the manufacturer notes, but then it dimmed to a more natural level. I am very pleased with product, and I plan to continue using it. I think that the blub will be effective for about one year and then I plan to replace it. The price that I paid was reasonable. I could not find the blub at my local pet shops. I have read that some blubs for lighting reptile habitats can be used with birds, but I prefer to remove any doubt about that and purchase a bulb labeled for use with birds.

I just got this and immediately my parrots started preening themselves. I'm talking like 5 minutes later. I turned it on at about 6:30 pm (birdie bedtime is 7:30 to get 11 hrs of sleep) So they had been up all day and were getting tired. Turned this on and my grey started chit chatting away, and my eclectus started squawking. Its been a few days and they seem to have perked up quite a bit. I take them outside a couple hrs a day but its almost September and I won't be able to do that much. They don't really like outside much anyways but I worry about them getting enough sunlight. I'll give this a 5 star when they start molting (they're overdue)Update: well its been 2 weeks since I've received the light. I forgot to turn it on a few times, but, both have pin feathers on their heads. Not sure if the light had anything to do with it or not. My grey loves her head scratches and I hadn't noticed them until yesterday. My ekkie doesn't like his head pet (typical) but I can see the pin feathers poking through, he looks like he has a bad haircut.

My Nanday conure is 28 years old. He's had this light for almost half his life. I got it when I moved and had to locate his bird cage away from a natural source of light. This supplements his UV requirements and aides in his well-being. My parrot is in amazing health. I'm convinced that this UV light source has contributed (among other things) to him being a happy and healthy bird.

this bulb is great for a day-night cycle for your birds. it doesn’t get too too hot but it does of course get warm. It’s sleek and a decent size not too big. very easy to put together and it’s not heavy.

I bought this for my little Lovebird from the day I got her and so I cant really speak about her before I got it but I can say she has always been a very happy bird who loves to move, sing, talk, eats very healthy and its a very active little thing (even more so when her lamp is turned on). I recommended it to my mom whose Green Cheek Conure has always been a super picky eater (on the verge of being too skinny) and told her maybe the light would help as its advertises that the color helps them see and the light helps metabolize foods. Since having the lamp the Green Cheek has been much more active and eats up a storm, even putting on some weight! Probably worth a shot for your bird!