Overhead power lines kill millions of birds a year. Scientists found a way to help cut the devastating toll

Wolfram Steinberg/picture alliance via Getty Images

Millions of birds are killed by power lines each year. Sometimes they collide with the lines when flying and are either electrocuted or fatally injured. Other times they are electrocuted when perching on power poles.

Power line collisions are one of the leading causes of injury and death for large birds of prey. In Tasmania, an endangered population of wedge-tailed eagles lost 110 individuals to power lines between 2017 and 2023.