If you have a beautiful feathered friend and are wondering if LED strip lights will harm them, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll explore whether or not LEDs are harmful to birds and what precautions if any, you should take.
Generally, LED light strips should be safe for birds because they don’t give off harmful UV rays. All you need to do is to avoid any flashing lights and keep a regular day and night cycle for your bird.
I sort of understand how some people might find the use of LED light strips for their birds a bit unsafe. However, there’s no reason why they can’t be used to help your bird feel more comfortable and secure in their cage.
However, there are a few things to consider before using LED strip lights around your feathered friend. So, in the rest of this article, I’m going to discuss the concerns that most people have and some important precausionary measures you should take.
Concerns Bird Owners Have With Using LED Strip Lights
Pet birds love to explore and are often drawn to shiny objects. Here are a few of the concerns that bird owners have about using LED strip lights;
1. Flickering LED Lights Can cause Seizures In Birds
Most bird owners are concerned that the flickering of LED lights might cause seizures in their feathered friends.
This sounded a bit far-fetched to me at first, but after doing some research, I found that there is a condition in humans called photosensitive epilepsy, which can be triggered by certain types of flickering lights.
While there hasn’t been any concrete evidence that LED lights can cause seizures in birds, most owners feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.
While it is true that flickering lights can cause seizures in birds, LED lights do not flicker in the same way that traditional fluorescent lights do. So, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about if you’re using LED strip lights.
However, if you are concerned, there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk. One is to make sure that the LEDs are not too close to your bird’s cage, and another is to cover
2. Distorts Their Sleep Cycle
The other main concern that bird owners have is that LED lights will distort their bird’s sleep cycle. LED lights are often used to create different moods ,usually at night.
Birds are very sensitive to light and dark cycles and need a regular day and night cycle to stay healthy. So, if you are using LED lights in your bird’s cage, it’s important to make sure that they are not on for too long or at inappropriate times.
What most owners do is to cover their bird cages or turn the lights off completely at night so that their birds can get a good night’s sleep.
There are also some types of LED lights that are specifically designed to mimic natural sunlight. These can be used to help your bird stay active during the day and sleep at night.
While LED lights don’t typically flicker, unless set to do so, they can be on for long periods of time and at inappropriate times. So, it’s important to make sure that your bird has a regular day and night cycle.
3. Birds May Peck At The LED Lights
Birds are also attracted to shiny objects and may try to peck at the LED lights. While this isn’t necessarily harmful, it can be a bit of a nuisance.
This means that eventually, your LED strip lights could potentially fall off or get pulled out. On top of this, it can also ruin the wallpaper or paint on the wall if your bird is constantly pecking at it.
To avoid this, you can try to cover the LED lights with a heat sink or diffuser so that LED strip lights that your bird can’t see them.
Alternatively, you could also try to tape the LED lights down so that they are out of reach of your bird.
4. The Heat From LED Lights Can Harm Birds
Another concern that bird owners have is that the heat from LED lights can harm their birds. Birds are very sensitive to heat and can easily overheat.
But the truth of the matter is LED lights do not produce nearly as much heat as traditional incandescent bulbs. So, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about if you’re using LED strip lights.
However, if you are concerned, there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk. One is to make sure that the LEDs are not too close to your bird’s cage, and another is to cover the LED lights with a heat sink or diffuser.
While the heat from LED lights is not typically a problem, there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk.
5. Birds May Try To Chew And Shred The LED Strip Light
We all know how birds like to chew and shred things. So, it’s not surprising that some bird owners worry that their birds will try to chew and shred the LED strip light.
While this isn’t necessarily harmful, it can be a nuisance. If your bird is constantly trying to chew on the LED strip light, it might be best to install an LED strip light diffuser. This will help to protect the light and prevent your bird from chewing on it.
Additionally, you can try to train your bird not to chew on the LED strip light. This might take some time and patience, but it’s worth a try if you want to avoid having to replace the light constantly.
6. The Adhesive On The Back Of LED Lights Can Be Harmful To Birds
As we all know, the back of LED strip lights is coated with a strong adhesive. This is what helps to keep the light in place.
A pet owner on a popular pet forum mentioned one of her main concerns is her feathery friend getting adhesive on his feathers.
The truth of the matter is, the LED strip light’s adhesive will hardly be strong enough to cause any harm to your bird’s feathers. But, if you’re still concerned, just make sure just LED strip lights are strongly attached.
All in all, while these are all valid concerns, there are ways to eliminate or mitigate them. LED strip lights are perfectly safe for birds.
So, if you’re looking for a way to add some extra light to your bird’s cage, LED strip lights are a great option.
Precautions You Can Take If You Use LED Strip Lights
While using LED strip lights is a perfectly safe option for your birds, there are a few precautions you can take to make sure your feathered friends are as safe as possible:
- Make sure the LED strip light is diffused. This will help to prevent those dotted lights that would attract bird.
- If you’re concerned about the adhesive on the back of the light, make sure the LED strip light is securely attached. This will help to prevent your bird from getting adhesive on his feathers.
- Keep an eye on your bird when you first introduce him to the LED strip light. This will help you to make sure it’s not trying to chew or shred the light. If he is, you can take steps to prevent this behavior.
- Make sure your LED strip lights are not loose on any edges. This can be a hazard for birds, as they might get tangled in the light.
- Make sure to position the LED strip light in a way that won’t shine directly into your bird’s eyes. Birds are very sensitive to bright lights, and this can cause them discomfort.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, LED strip lights are not bad for birds. In fact, they can be a great addition to your bird’s cage.
Just make sure to take some precautions and position the light in a way that won’t bother your feathered friend. With a little bit of care, you and your bird can enjoy the benefits of LED strip lights.
Do you use LED strip lights in your home? Have you ever worried about them being harmful to your birds? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
Q: How can I prevent my bird from getting tangled in the LED strip light?
A: Make sure to position the LED strip light in a way that won’t allow your bird to get tangled in it. Additionally, you can try to keep the light out of your bird’s reach.
Q: How can I make sure the LED strip light doesn’t bother my bird?
A: Make sure to position the LED strip light in a way that won’t shine directly into your bird’s eyes. Additionally, you can try to diffuse the light to make it less bright. Lastly, you can keep an eye on your bird when you first introduce him to the LED strip light. This will help you to make sure he’s not bothered by it.