I am a retired chemist hobbyist 'noob' in the field that is electronics.

Regarding my other passion, bird watching. At both my summer place and at my home here in New-Brunswick (Canada) I have been helpless to stop the birds from crashing in my windows. If the fowl is lucky, he just has a bruised ego but often he is departed for higher skies.

To stop this from happening it occurred to me that if I would purchase a device capable of warning the birds of the eminent treat this would solve my problem. I was thinking along a strobe light effect. A sort of discotheque for birds. On the other hand, I tough at first that a discotheque lighting in my windows would not only distract birds but humans also.

After a brief search on the internet for bird savers I found out that most devices use passive deployment to deter birds. [1] The active devices are mainly laser beam chasers and ultrasonic devices, but these devices are made for buildings and commercial applications beside being out of price.[2], [3]

Then it occurred to me that several animals can see colors in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum (i.e., tetrachromacy).[4] Bird use this ability to find suitable mates or avoid being some one’s lunch.[5] They have a natural and fast response to UV signals. Moreover, this high frequency spectral range goes well below our visible capabilities. Hence, the luminous strobing would not be annoying for the neighbors during the day. Also, light emitting devices (LED) technology is a growing and well-established field having safe, low voltage, low energy, and low-cost applications.[6]

Has an amateur DYI electronic guy, I was at that time working on a pulse high energy alternating current project (induction heating). Since I could not find and buy a UV bird deterrent, I decided to make one my self combining the above i.e., strobing light, UV spectrum and electronics. Since it worked OK for me, I decided to let others on my trick.

I choose the UV-A spectrum range for the LEDs for practical reasons.[7] The low energy high wavelength UV (the so called 'A' range) is in the safest area of the UV spectrum.[8]

Furthermore, it has low current conditions, low energy consumption, long life, wide field of domestic applications, creates minimal visible annoyance/distraction for us, … which makes it compatible with common 5 V - USB-type C adapter charger.

Dr. Daniel Cozak, Ph. D. chemistry.

Email: daniel@uv-birdchaser.com

(Novembre, 2024)

--------------------------------------------------------

[1] Most bird repellent devices are based on ultrasound emission, transparent images of predators, spiral reflector, glitter devices, reflective tapes, ...

[2] From 1K-10K $ (USD) with an application range from 1-4 km.

[3] Reference : https://www.dkhardware.com/bird-x-bx-laser-in-original-indoor-repeller-laser-repel-pigeons-scare-birds-deterrent-repellent-product-3916492.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqGn_gIdCiTxcEocbultZRT8AZAaUVcjy2_5SJwXe8EI24Bh4aWEaA

[4] Reference: https://www.boredpanda.com/human-vs-bird-vision/

[5] ' … Although many birds are tetrachromats with a fourth color in the ultraviolet, humans cannot see ultraviolet light directly because the lens of the eye blocks most light in the wavelength range of 300–400 nm …' Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrachromacy

[6] The bird saver uses UV-A LEDs @ 395 nm. The entire device as a maximum energy consumption of : 0.8 W, 150 mA @ 5 V.

[7] The wavelength peaks at 395 nm a value not detectable by the human eye. Since the emitted UV wave lengths energy follows a normal bell distribution there is about ca. 15 % of the light tailing off in the visible region (greater then 400 nm).

[8] The 395 nm LED wavelength is no more dangerous than the usual UV light application used for reading markings, flashlights applications, disco strobe lighting, etc., specially at the energy level used here, inferior to 1 W. Nevertheless, care should be taken and avoid abuse.

You didn’t come this far to stop here

This is my Bird Chaser or Saviour DIY Project