I have had small cameras with built-in IR LEDs in my nesting boxes for different types of parakeets for several years now. These LEDs ensure that I can observe the birds and their eggs/young in their dark nest box without disturbing them. Can the birds perceive the IR rays? Can they heat up from it, ie is IR harmful to birds? The cameras are equipped with 6 small IR LEDs, they hang about 20 cm above the birds.
Answer
the bird’s eye has a spectral sensitivity that is very similar on the red side (longer wavelength) to that of humans. Birds have a slightly higher sensitivity on the UV side, but that is not relevant here.
As for the sensitivity of “IR LEDs” I would expect that birds see the same as we do.
The intensity of camera IR LEDs is low, and does not have the slightest risk of heating anything up.
Answered by
Engineer Bart Dierickx
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