18" Chewguard Light

I bought this light for our cockatiel. Our home doesn’t let in a lot of natural light and, even making an effort to put his cage in front of a window, I worry that he’s not getting enough light. You can tell that this light kit was designed by someone who understands birds and how to make products which are sturdy and safe enough for them. When I saw that the long power cable was protected by steel conduit, I knew that this was the right choice and I wasn’t wrong. After the initial shock of something new on his cage, he immediately seemed to appreciate the new light and he spent several minutes just kind of looking around as if he were seeing his various toys for the first time, which might literally be the case considering that parrots see differently from us, including UV. This light emits UVA but not UVB, meaning that they’ll appreciate the improved visual (to them) spectrum but also that their eyes will be safe from harm. This also means that we’ll need to continue to ensure that they get enough vitamin D through their diet. My homework led me to understand that while full spectrum bulbs (UVA+UVB) can help birds to create vitamin D, there’s significant concern that those bulbs put birds at great risk for cataracts and other eye conditions. This M&M light kit is presumably safe. I bought the 18” model with chew guard. It uses about 11.5W of power according to my meter and remains cool to the touch. Their website indicates that if, in the worst case scenario, the bird was able to get ahold of the unshielded power cable and chew through it, the voltage is too low to cause harm. I’m not using the included timer but instead a smart outlet, and if I were to do it again I’d probably skip the kit with timer and just buy the light with power supply. I’ll be controlling it manually but if I want to set a timer, I can do that through home automation. It’s working great so far. I bought this light kit mostly for his general happiness and to support his circadian rhythm. It’s only been a day but he seems to love it so far and I really couldn’t be happier.

I have an African Grey, Wrigley, and I bought the 24 inch light that runs the length of his cage. While I’m not going to spend much time comparing this light to my former light with a rickety stand, and an expensive bulb that lasted for approximately one year, I will say I wish I’d had more information before I bought it. I’ve critiqued this M&M light in enough detail that I hope it’s helpful for anyone considering buying it. This light is one very well thought-out bird light! The light fixture itself is slim and streamlined right out of the box. A sturdy metal grid enclosure protects the LED, and is designed in such a manner that when mounted on top of his cage as directed, Wrigley can’t get at it. That’s saying something because he’s clever, and not easily confounded. The light is an LED - it’s very energy efficient, there’s no heat to worry about, it will last just short of forever, and LED lights are eco-friendly (bonus!). I didn’t realize how dim my former light was until I lit up this light - it floods the full length of his cage with beautiful bright light! No dim areas! The metal covering on the electrical cord running out of the fixture itself is substantial. It’s also super flexible, and surprisingly long. Flexible enough to be trussed to the bars/frame of the cage and keep it away from my bird; and long enough to be routed around the frame of a very large cage, and keep it out of sight. Flat metal zip ties pull super tight to hold the the cord where I place it. Wrigley is not going to get into trouble with that cord! (Caveat: as sturdy as the metal covering is, I’m maniacally careful with any cord cover with my bird. He could bite the bumper off of a truck.) M&M suggests attaching a timer (sold separately) for “consistent lighting intervals,” and I’m glad I took this suggestion. The timer makes turning the light off and on literally hands off. Installation was dummy-proof, and I ought to know because I’m a dummy when it comes to things like this. I had a question or two, and Mark in Customer Service at M&M could not have been more helpful. He told me the company now provides larger, better fitting brackets with the light. He sent me two of them, and they fit perfectly! With the new brackets, it took me approximately 20 minutes to install the light, and route the cord. If Wrigley hadn’t helped me so much, it would’ve taken 15 minutes tops!

My birds love these lights! I have a flight cage with several parakeets near a window. A macaw near a set of patio doors and an Amazon in a hallway leading into the main living area. They have all become more active with the lighting, especially the Amazon who wasn’t located at a window but could see out the front door and patio doors. I had some difficulty with the metal zip ties and ended up using plastic ones without the birds damaging them. I was worried the hyacinth macaw would damage the grill covering the light or the light itself, but she hasn’t bothered it. It is reassuring that the light cannot electrocute her if she does manage to bite it, given her powerful beak. I hadn’t realized how important supplemental lighting was until I did some research.

UPDATE April ‘24: Still love this product, in fact bought another last month for a new canary cage. Reason for update is to thank M&M for great customer service when I called to report this light no longer working, after only about 1-1/2 years. They explained that once in a while the actual plug section, which unscrews from the rest of the cord & fixture, malfunctions. A new one was shipped to me that day and WOW - problem solved! Many thanks for A++ service! I’ve been using for my parakeet cage since October. Since the top of the cage is flat, I simply laid the light fixture on top of the cage in the middle, only needed to attach the metal-protected cord to the side of the cage to prevent it from being scooted & frightening the birds by moving the light. Other reviews noted no heat was produced, however I keep my cage covered in winter (except in front) to prevent drafts, & I did notice some warmth from the light. To be safe, I found a tray that does not conduct heat that was nearly the same length as the light & laid it upside down over the fixture to keep any warmth away from the cloth cage cover, as well as to direct warmth back into the cage. Problem solved. I love the amount of light throughout the cage, & the birds seemed more active & lively too. Now I’m noticing that one of the birds who’d had pale, sparse feathers has returned to his former vibrant colors, & new feathers are growing in! Definitely worth the investment, even though I needn’t have bought the type for birds that chew since the fixture is installed on the outside of the cage. Still worth the money to see them enjoying renewed health and an active life even when the house is chilly in the winter. Would buy again!

My keets love this light. They've been more active and chatty since installation! Light is very lightweight, so I was able to use sticky velcro to install it since I don't have a traditional wire cage. Metal encased anti-chew "cord" fits perfectly through my square wire.

Bright, light weight, heavy duty, and easy to install. Very detailed instruction video linked to the QR code in the packaging. Excited to see how much my bird loves it!

Delivery was Amazon's standard 'great'. The light was easy to install, though the parrotlet shared his outraged opinions about having his home messed with. The clip-on goose-neck lamp I've used for years either stopped working or both the (expensive) replacement bulbs were duds. This is a superior replacement lamp as it is @3" shy at each end of the length of the cage. The goose-neck was more of a spotlight. I did not strap down the metal encased cord as it falls too far from the cage for the parrotlet's beak to reach it. If I did not have to plug and unplug it each day, it would be an ideal cage lamp. One review mentioned a dimmer and implied it turned the lamp on and of at set hours, but I've not found one yet.

This light is fantastic. We noticed an immediate change in our love bird. She seems so much happier with its presence and she is noticably quieter. Not that we don't enjoy her noises (she still makes noise) but the amount has lessend in a way that you can tell she's so much happier. Very happy with the quality, fit, stability, and ease of assembly. My 13 year old put it on mostly by herself with very little help from me. It sits very stable on the cage after assembly.

This light is the best accessory for your bird cage. It is life changing! My birds are so much happier, they enjoy the light and they seem more active and healthier. Looks great too! I got the timer as well and it is perfect. I programmed it to simulate gradual sunrise and sunset. No complains. I hope it lasts long.

Sehr zufrieden die Finken lieben dieses Licht , habe schon drei gekauft, 👍👍👍👍

Fantastic light, money well spent

Obligé d en acheter 2 car le grand modèle n est pas disponible. Pour l instant mon grand Alexandre n y touche pas et la solidité a l air d être présente. Seul inconvénient esthétique : laisse comme des lignes de lumière jaunes. Dommage, cela dénature un peu la couleur de l oiseau....

Veramente un ottimo prodotto, materiali resistenti e una vita più piacevole per il vostro amico