Red or Green and what Specie

[Jim81]

Could somebody reference an actual study done to determine which color in a dark barn is least likely to alarm roosting birds? Also wonder if, say pigeons respond differently than do starlings, or collared doves.

Then there's personal experience. Maybe more valid than official research.

My experience with Starlings roosting in a dark barn at night was that when the red beam was in flood/wide angle mode the birds were nervous but didn't move. How ever it was also not quite enough to allow a confident sight picture through the scope. When the red beam was tightened down and the light intensity was enough that one could get a confident sight picture the birds flew if the light was on them for more than a couple of seconds.

I do have an ATN X sight the first version. It's like trying to shoot upward with a bowling ball duct taped to the receiver. The infrared light on the left side of the scope just insures you always shoot with a cant. Can't and don't want to afford one of the later generation night scopes that are much clearer and lighter. My scope lit with a red or green beam ensuring I could see well enough to score the kill would be much better.

All things the same would the reaction of the birds be different with green?

 

[rangur1]

I would think a sightmark photon would suite your needs better. But not sure if green lights work better than red. 

 

[Ranchibi]

Many species of animals and birds cannot see the red color spectrum but can see the brightness emitted, that’s why when you tightened the beam they flew off. I pest rats using either a red flood light or red flashlight but the beam needs to be dispersed to not deter the rats. Birds are more likely to flee than rats.

 

[Guest]

I have a dark blue ball and a bright red ball. At night with a flash light my dog can't see the red ball but spots the blue ball easily. I have trouble seeing the blue ones in the dark with a flash light but have no trouble with the red ones.

 

[Greasemagnet1]

I believe the reason for red/ green is because red will not alter your ability to see in the dark after your eyes have adjusted to the dark, but red washes out very easily during daylight. Green can be easily seen during the day.

 

[cea1960]

I had the same problem at the farm. I placed red LED lights inside the barn loft with them shining up at the rafters. Left them on 24/7 for 2 weeks. When I resumed shooting the birds, the red light on my rifle didn't spook them. I learned this from a raccoon problem I had 2 years ago. They became accustomed to the motion detector turning on a security light after a very short time and paid no mind. I increased the brightness until I could see them well enough to eradicate them.

 

[JungleShooter]

Very interesting, this question and the post about getting animals used to the light!

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Matthias 

 

[Glenroiland]

I had the same problem at the farm. I placed red LED lights inside the barn loft with them shining up at the rafters. Left them on 24/7 for 2 weeks. When I resumed shooting the birds, the red light on my rifle didn't spook them. I learned this from a raccoon problem I had 2 years ago. They became accustomed to the motion detector turning on a security light after a very short time and paid no mind. I increased the brightness until I could see them well enough to eradicate them.

This.

 

[Glenroiland]

No experience with birds, but every time I use the green light the animals seem to notice it, including rats, raccoons, rabbits, opossum. Generally they don't run from it, but they do react to it.....

 

[guod123]

Another one not much experience with birds, the Wicked lights older version zoom model has various power levels and zoom capabilities. A lower power with the widest zoom does not alarm raccoons. 

 

[Dingfelder]

No experience with birds, but every time I use the green light the animals seem to notice it, including rats, raccoons, rabbits, opossum. Generally they don't run from it, but they do react to it.....

That's what I saw on some videos on them too. The animals notice but by and large do not seem to care.

 

[lancehenley1]

I have used green, red and white on raccoons at 70yds. They didn't really react too much to any of them. I have been using red, I can see them a little better than green, and the red isn't as bright as the white.