Artificial Light at Night Increases Growth and Impairs Reproductive Success in Budgerigars (<i>Melopsittacus undulatus</i>) in a Duration Dose-Dependent Manner

Abstract

Short-wavelength artificial light at night is increasingly being associated with health and ecological risks. The negative impact of this relatively new source of pollution has been studied intensively in wild birds but to a much lesser extent in captive conspecifics. Using an avian model, our objective was to evaluate the effects of short-wavelength (200 lux at 460 nm) lighting on the body mass and reproductive success of Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) under captive conditions. Birds were maintained under a naturally increasing photoperiod from March to June, with one daily artificial light at night exposure of increasing duration (0, 30, 60, and 90 min) in the middle of the dark period. During the experiments, birds were monitored monthly for body mass, number of eggs laid, hatching success, and melatonin sulfate levels in droppings. Artificial light at night increased body mass and decreased melatonin sulfate levels as well as the number of eggs and hatching success in a duration dose-dependent manner. Our findings provide further evidence of the potential adverse impact of artificial light at night on captive birds and advocate the need for effective controlling measures for light pollution.

Keywords

• body mass
• light pollution
• captive birds
• melatonin
• short wavelength