Preventing Bird Collisions with Power Lines

Each year, hundreds of birds are killed or injured because of collisions with power lines. Luckily, some power companies are stepping up and adding avian safety features.Power lines and poles may be necessary for human commerce and comfort. However, utility lines and poles placed in the path of migrations or on breeding or hunting grounds can cause numerous deaths and injuries to birds. Birds can't always see the lines in time to avoid them, or they may decide to perch or nest on the lines or poles not understanding the danger. In tandem with rescue groups and wildlife experts, some power companies have started to implement avian safety features in are where endangered species of birds migrate or nest.

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Safety Features on Power Lines

When Millen Bypass in Jenkins County, Georgia became aware that endangered wood storks were frequently flying into power lines, they outfitted the offending lines with "aviation balls." These bright orange fiberglass balls were designed to keep low-flying planes from hitting power lines, but luckily, they also work for wood storks. In St. Albert, Canada, a combination of coiled, insulated wire was wrapped around telephone wires, plus white tags with yellow stickers were hung from the wires to reflect light. All this has made the power lines more visible to migrating geese and swan. Woodbridge, California has reported a significant decline in avian collisions after placing glowing, disc-shaped "bird diverters" on power lines.

Safety Features on Power Poles

Large raptors often use high power poles as a vantage point for hunting. However, If they accidentally touch two wires at once they may electrocute themselves. Often, the solution is to put perches that stand higher than the power poles, as these birds usually opt to land on the highest point. In the Florida Keys and other places where osprey breed, it is not uncommon to see platforms on poles placed slightly higher than the power lines. These poles have successfully been used as osprey nesting sites to keep the osprey from building their nests on dangerous power poles.

How Can I Help?

If you live in an area where you see birds frequently being injured by power lines, you can try contacting your local power company and your local wildlife department to be certain they are aware of the problem. If they are unresponsive, sometimes going to the local papers with the problem will mobilize them into action. If you have found an injured bird, contact your local wildlife rescue immediately. Common symptoms of collisions with power lines include electical burns on the body, head trauma, wing trauma, and internal injuries.