True Light Neon Arcadia, for healthy birds

Why is a lamp designed specifically for birds?

Unlike humans, birds see ultraviolet light that is part of the spectrum of natural daylight. The bird needs the UV for reproduction and feeding - a bird without UV is a bit like a man who sees in black and white, or worse. Even in black and white, man is able to recognize the sex of its congeners. By cons, some species of birds require UV to differentiate males from females.

If the bird lives in a house, it is necessary to provide an ultraviolet light. A normal household lighting is not enough. In addition, most home systems are changing the natural color of the bird. The Arcadia Bird Lamp has been specifically designed to provide the level of UV to properly showcase his true colors.


    Excellent development of natural colors and iridescent birds.
    2.4% UVB and 12% UVA for optimal well-being.
    Stimulates appetite and improves behavior.

What is a full spectrum of light?

By full spectrum, we mean a balanced light across the spectrum, including ultraviolet light segment. Most fluorescent tubes include three bands present three energy peaks corresponding to the three colors that your eyes perceive. Thus, to the human eye, the light tube is maximized helpful and seems very strong. These peaks are not necessarily perceived by the eye of the bird, which implies, of course, the absence of UV. The true full spectrum tube offers a balanced spectrum, because the spaces between the three-band fluorescent peaks are filled with a light emitted from a mixture halophosphate. In addition, UV-emitting phosphors were added and they represent about 15% of the lumen. The proportion of UVA and UVB in these phosphors is respectively 12 and 2.4%.

The overall color of the light tube should be as close as possible to that of natural light, which is 5500 K. At 5600 K, Lamp Arcadia is very close to this value. For birds, the color temperature should not exceed 5800 K. A spectrum with too much blue bird produces mainly female. For this reason, avoid using aquarium lamps for birds. A full spectrum of light must also reproduce the exact colors. This is what the lamp Arcadia, with a Class 1A specification.

The importance of a full spectrum of light

Poor quality of light affects the oculoendocrinien cycle (light for the pituitary and pineal gland), and this seriously affects the health of the bird. Misdirected light can be a source of agitation, pulling feathers, general weakness, behavioral problems and metabolic disorders.

Synthesis of vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is necessary for birds for normal growth of their bones. Many animals can synthesize vitamin D3 from sunlight through their skin. More precisely, it is the UVB spectrum that allow this synthesis. Birds can not synthesize vitamin D3 in the same way because their skin is covered with feathers. In most birds, the blood brings pro-vitamin D3 in the oil gland, which concentrated in glandular secretions. These are then applied to the feathers during lubrication and are therefore exposed to UVB. The bird then swallows the material exposed to UV light, when it is smooth again, and the oil enters the body in the form of provitamin D. The liver and kidneys transform vitamin D3 then.

To what extent the vision of the bird is different does that of man?

The retina of the eye contains cones which, when stimulated by different wavelengths of light, transmit the color information to the brain. In humans, there are three types of cones that allow us to perceive the three primary colors: red, green and blue. This is what is called trichromatic vision. The combination of these allows us to perceive colors literally thousands of different colors. Birds have a fourth cone type, which is sensitive to ultraviolet light, so they can perceive four primary colors, the extra color being that of UV. This is what we call a vision tétrachromatique. In humans, ultraviolet light can not pass through the lens, but the bird does not have this problem. The latest research has shown that some birds can see up to five primary colors (that is to say have a vision pentachromatique) and are able to differentiate between two wavelengths of UV different.

The effect of light on birds

Birds perceive light in two ways. First, by the eye. The retina of the eye is able to provide information on the intensity, color composition and polarization (direction) of light. This information travels in two directions: to the brain via the optic nerve to the pituitary and also by a special journey. Birds have a different way of perceiving light, a special gland that surrounds the eye, called the Harderian gland. This gland measuring how long a bird receives light, called photoperiod, and transmits this information to the pineal gland. The pituitary and pineal gland are both regulators of the endocrine system and they act on the whole metabolism of the bird. To ensure that the health of the bird is best, you must turn on the lights an hour after sunrise and one hour off before nightfall. For this, it is recommended to use a timer. It preserves the natural annual cycle of daylight and natural conditions corresponding to the reproductive cycle of the bird and, therefore, the development cycle of feathers. The catch bird know that it is possible to artificially induce certain behavior by extending the photoperiod from 14 to 16 hours. In most cases this should be done gradually. If this method fails, a sudden increase sometimes produces the desired effects.

The importance of UV for the bird

A bird living in a house is bound to UV. Indeed, the windows filter the ultraviolet rays of light coming from the outside. In addition, normal domestic light sources do not emit UV. It is therefore essential to add an ultraviolet light, which is why we created the Arcadia bird lamp. Bird feathers reflect UV light. The reflection of the plumage plays a key role when birds choose their partners during mating. The presence of UV therefore promotes reproduction. Birds such as blackbirds, the human eye perceives as black, appear multicolored birds. This is the same case with white birds. The perception of UV plays a significant role in the selection of food. The ripe fruits and berries appear in a different color for a bird. Pollination requires the reflection of UV that helps the bird to land on the flower. What a bird sees affects its appetite. The reds are redder and greens are greener thanks to UV. A bird that refuses to feed UV needs to stimulate his appetite.

The UV orientation

The perception of UV is used by birds to orient themselves. With the polarization of light, a bird is able to know where the light comes. This allows it to move properly during its flight.

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