Preventing Bird Electrocutions: Alternative Construction Methods Could Help Birds and Utilities

In December 2011, we visited distribution pole lines in the Thar Desert in western India to assess the electrocution risk to raptors. We inspected 624 concrete poles and found 160 bird carcasses at the pole bases. Although power lines can provide positive benefits for birds, the trend of using concrete poles with metal crossarms outweighs the benefits. If concrete poles are used in raptor habitats, alternative construction methods should be substituted, such as the use of suspended insulators.