07/14/2023
We have received some flack about our mention of birds by windows.
Yes, normal glass IS opaque to UV light and rays. Most UVB, which promotes the creation of vitamin D3 when it hits the skin or body, and between 50-74% of UVA, the light spectrum in which birds see.
What doesn't seem to be common knowledge is there are types of glass that a transparent to UV light and rays. You also DON'T have to work for some space agency or be rich to buy. It
Those types of glass are quartz, fused quartz, and fused silica. They are transparent to UV rays and light, and DO NOT absorb or filter UV rays and light.
Though they DO cost more than normal glass panes, they are a great option for those whom keep their birds inside.
No, I will not give links to this and that to prove my point. It IS up to you to do your homework and look into it yourselves. I'm just here to "plant" the seed of knowledge that blooms into your curiosity to look into it and learn something yourselves.
Now, what makes these types of glass GREAT for your birds is the fact that they DO NOT absorb or filter UV rays and light and ARE also heat resistant.
EVEN though normal glass is UV opaque and blocks most UV light, the amount of UVA, which is the color spectrum in which birds see, is still adequate enough and safer than using a full spectrum indoor light. Although the birds would still need at least 30-60 minutes outdoors each week to get adequate vitamin D from the UVB rays. You also CAN'T keep them right in front of normal glass windows do to possibly causing overheating, dehydration, or possibly death to your bird. So having the cage close, but safely enough to the normal glass windows will still give them enough UVA that it in theory it would still be safer than constantly using full spectrum lights. I say that because they are still looking into the dangers of full spectrum light and everything else, it. Full spectrum lights CAN be highly damaging to your birds eyes and could cause a myriad of eye issues including cataracts and blindness.
Windows made from quartz, fused quartz, or fused silica are the most beneficial for our birds. Because these types of glass ARE transparent to UV light and rays, they DO NOT filter or absorb them, and has a great heat resistance. With that said, it would still be a great idea to put a significant shaded area for your bird to utilize in the cage during the if you plan on having the cage in front of the window with the UV transparent glass. The reason behind this recommendation is because the UV rays and light are unfiltered, which also means ALL the bad aspects of the UV light, like that which CAN cause skin cancers and other medical issues that stem from prolonged UV exposure, come through as well. So measures would have to be taken to make sure you, your family, and your birds are safe from being overly exposed to. UV.
OUR recommendation if you decide to use quartz, fused quartz, fused silica, or any other UV transparent glass as replacements for normal glass in your windows would to have them installed in your house where they do not face the direct path of the sun. The reason behind this is UV can bounce off reflective services which would still allow more than enough UVA and UVB to enter and be beneficial while greatly reducing the risk of over exposure to UV.
Quartz, fused quartz, and fused silica glass being heat and temperature resistant will also reduce heating and cooling costs within your home as well. In fact, the outer panes of glass on the space craft, or at least the shuttle, to the best of my knowledge, are made of fused silica due to the temperature resistance. The temperatures reached during reentry is around at least 5,000°F. That tells how great it is at resisting extreme temperatures.
Like I said, you don't have to be a scientist, work for NASA, or be rich to get UV transparent glass, there are countless places worldwide that do produce and sell the quartz, fused quartz, fused silica, and other UV transparent glass. You would have to do the research and decide yourself on what would be best for you and your household. This is just an idea and suggestion on how to help make your home more bird friendly while also saving money in the process. Birds and their care are expensive, and it's nice to have the extra money, even a little extra, from the heating and cooling costs for flock necessities and emergencies.
THIS IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM MEANS IT'S MEANT AS A WAY TO NEVER TAKE YOUR BIRDS OUTSIDE OR ANYTHING OF THE SORTS! BIRDS, JUST LIKE PEOPLE, NEED TO GET OUTSIDE, GET FRESH AIR, HAVE INTERACTIONS, AND HAVE A LIFE OF SORTS. Sometimes things happen in life and you can't take your birds with you and boarding for them may be pricey, but you have family that can watch them then it gives at least a little security because it would reduce the need for said family to take the bird outside the house for adequate UVA and UVB light necessary for their proper health.
If you do decide to use UV transparent glass, do the research into the pros and cons yourself. Listing them all isn't my job and what's good for one might not be good for another. It's not meant to be a replacement for proper care, it's meant to be an aide in proper care for our birds. They still need adequate outside and socialization time and training. We WILL be disappointed if any of this is used to keep someone's bird/s, or anyone else's for that matter, inside 100% of the time. Anyone doing THAT should be ashamed.
I'm going to end this book here (feels like I just wrote one 🤣), and I apologize how drawn out this was and for how many times I've reiterated some of what I wrote, but from the responses we received since yesterday's post, we felt it necessary to due so.
We've also been asked to put something up about the risks to birds using full spectrum lighting. If I can't get to it this weekend, I will do so on Monday. It may seem like a lot, but when it's For the Birds, it's never enough! Have a great and wonderful day!
