my parrots and the bird lights

Question
Hello!  Thank you for answering me.  It was helpful.  The Patagonian and Jenday are in love with each other. They were living in the same cage when I got them.
My question is I want to know how long I should leave the heat light on the birds?  Should I turn it off at night when they sleep?  Thanks for your reply.
It's a good thing I looked in the spam folder.  That is where I found your reply.  Aol is putting some things I want in the spam folder, and then, sending me the garbage I DON'T want.

Answer
Hello, again.  I've always wanted a Patagonian conure.  I think they are beautiful birds, and I like conures!  Since the conures are bonded to each other, perhaps the Patagonian is overpreening the Jenday and this is why the Jenday is so bald.  

I hope I haven't confused you...I would not recommend using a "heat" light over your parrots.  The type of "bulb" you should be using is a full spectrum bulb; this is a type of bulb that simulates natural sunlight.  They come is various sizes, such as long fluorescent, floodlight, normal-sized bulb, and can be found where other light bulbs are sold.  Fit the bulb size to the type of light FIXTURE you want to use over your birds.  These type of lights do not produce much heat at all.  In my mind, a "heat" light would be a light that produces some amount of heat, not particularly proper lighting, and would be used over a bird who is ill.  If I remember correctly, reptiles and aquarium fish require full spectrum lighting, and plants grow well under this lighting, too.

In nonbreeding season, birds need 12 hours "lights out" and 12 hours "lights on."  Therefore, you should turn all lights out when you want your birds to sleep...usually about 7-9 PM because they get up at first light.  I always leave a night light on in each bird room so the birds don't get disoriented if they become frightened by something during the night. If you ever breed your parrots, gradually increase the amount of light they have available per day to 16 hours...this stimulates them to breed.  This process simulates the natural increase in sunlight in late winter/early spring.

Just like AOL!  I used AOL for about 7 years, then kept getting booted off all the time after taking so long to get connected, and it was very slow.  I use Netzero Hi-Speed now and am pretty satisfied.

Come back when you need to.

Chrys