Illegal shooting kills most birds found dead near power lines

Read the full story from Cell Press.

Birds can be electrocuted if they come into contact with two energized parts of a power line at once — which can happen when they spread their wings to take off from or land on a power pole. Because of this, energy companies invest substantial time and money into making sure power lines are avian safe, installing safe perches and insulating energized elements. However, a recent study presents a new priority for conservation, as it suggests that electrocution is no longer the only leading cause of death for birds along power lines. Instead, researchers report that 66% of dead birds that were found along power lines — for which a cause of death could be conclusively determined — died from being illegally shot.