POWER POLES AND POWER

LINES: THE EAGLES MAIN

THREATS TO LIFE

Joan Onuzuruike

American Eagle Foundation

3/4/2018
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... 2
Table of Figures ........................................................................................................................ 2
Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Dangers of Power Poles and Power Lines ........................................................................ 4
How Does Electrocution Happen to Eagles? .................................................................... 4
Power Line Collisions ............................................................................................................... 5
Eagles are Often Electrocuted .................................................................................................. 5
Signs That an Eagle Has Been Electrocuted ...................................................................... 4
Power Line Collisions ...................................................................................................... 5
Avian-Friendly Power Poles ..................................................................................................... 5
Using Avian-Friendly Power Poles .................................................................................... 6
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 6
Reference .................................................................................................................................. 6

TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1 An Iberian Imperial Eagle .......................................................................................... 3
Figure 2 A Bonelli’s Eagle ........................................................................................................ 3
Figure 3 Cape Vulture and Egyptian Vulture ........................................................................... 4
Figure 4 Two Eagles Perched ................................................................................................... 4
Figure 5 An Eagle’s Nest .......................................................................................................... 4
Figure 6 A Safe Wiring Configuration ...................................................................................... 6

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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this white paper is to explain
the different types of eagles that are affected by
electrocution and to help bring awareness to
readers about the many eagles being electrocuted by
power lines. For many years, eagles have been
electrocuted by power lines without any
solutions on how to prevent this from happening.
Many eagle species are at a greater risk of being
electrocuted, which is also one of the main
reasons why eagles are becoming endangered. Figure 1 An Iberian Imperial Eagle from the Iberian
Peninsula.
A new study, conducted by researchers from
called the Iberian Imperial Eagle (Universidad
EDM International, focuses on preventing
de Barcelona, 2010). If you look at Figure 1,
bird electrocution through the identification
located above, you’ll get a better idea of what
and correction of high-risk pylons (Wiley,
most Iberian Imperial Eagles look like. Since
2018). To help prevent eagles from getting
1994, their population has declined drastically.
electrocuted, these researchers have developed
Approximately 80% of Iberian Imperial Eagles
new techniques to change the power lines so
killed on power lines are female, causing a
that eagles will not be harmed when they land
greater impact on this monogamous species
and rest on power lines. Using this technique
than if equal numbers of males and females
could save millions of eagles from being electrocuted.
were killed (Universidad de Barcelona, 2010).

INTRODUCTION In Catalonia, Spain, the Bonelli’s Eagles are dying

from a high rate because of electrocution. Figure 2
Eagles being electrocuted have been a serious shows an image of a Bonelli’s Eagle perched on a
problem that needs to be addressed. Treating tree trunk. In Africa, common eagle species dying
eagles that have been electrocuted by power from electrocution include the Cape Vulture
lines has proven very difficult with chances for and the Egyptian Vulture (Figure 3). These
recovery and healing impossible. Many eagles select figures are to show you that eagles look very
power poles for perching, and sometimes for nesting, different and can come from different areas
which can be very fatal. around the world but are still affected by
When you think about wild-life animals getting electrocution the same way.
electrocuted, most humans don’t know how often
that can happen daily. The main wild-life
animal that’s affected the most are bald eagles
and raptors, but those birds dying from
electrocution is nothing new. In fact, it’s a
major problem across the world, mainly in
areas that use high voltage power lines as their
main source of electricity.
These eagle species can vary from different
regions around the globe. Electrocution affects
large numbers of endangered species of eagles,
particularly eagles from the Iberian Peninsula Figure 2 A Bonelli’s Eagle from Catalonia, Spain.

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 Iowa carried 69,000 volts and was not retrofitted with
avian-safe technology (Kilen, 2014). This type of
technology would have helped the bald eagle see the
power line more clearly and avoid getting electrocuted.
Most of these electrocutions happen by accident. The
reason why these accidents happen is because an eagle’s
line of vision is often obscured when approaching power
poles. Without having avian-safe technology, these power
poles and power lines can be very dangerous to wild-life
eagles who like to perch on top of them.

Figure 3 On the left is the Cape Vulture perched on top of a

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, perching is
power line and on the right is the Egyptian Vulture; both are from when a bird finds a resting place or vantage point and
Africa. settle on top of an area that has height or a location that’s
precarious to the birds for nesting (Figure 4 & Figure 5).
THE DANGERS OF If an eagle perches or nests, on top of power poles, then
electrocution can occur.
POWER POLES AND
POWER LINES
Electrocution wasn’t a major cause of death for
eagles until humans started to invade their
natural habitats by tearing down the nesting
grounds of eagles and building cities that use
electricity. Most of these eagles usually don’t
have anywhere to go, so they stay in the same
area that they’re used to, even if it looks different to
them. Living in any city that uses electricity can
be dangerous for many wild-life animals, Figure 4 Two eagles perched on top of power poles.
especially eagles. We fail to realize just how
dangerous living in these cities are for them.
Neighborhoods that have been around for
many decades have infrastructure that is slowly
disintegrating, without anyone caring to
maintain or check on the poorly maintained
buildings.
In 2014, a bald eagle that was famous from the
internet was electrocuted in Decorah, Iowa
(Kilen, 2014). The eagle became famous when
his owner decided to video tape when he first
hatched and took his first flight. The owner Figure 5 An eagle’s nest on top of a power pole.
posted the videos on social media, which attracted
a lot of attention from admirers, who wanted HOW DOES ELECTROCUTION
more videos and images of the eagle. Sadly, the HAPPEN TO EAGLES?
bald eagle did not survive and left thousands of Electrocution happens when a bird completes
people who witnessed his first beginnings a circuit by simultaneously touching two energized
devastated. The single-pole structure in Decorah, parts or an energized part and a grounded part

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of electrical equipment on a power pole, specifically
with the span of its wings (American Eagle EAGLES ARE OFTEN
Foundation, 2018). In other words, these birds ELECTROCUTED
are most likely electrocuted because of the Eagles getting electrocuted from power lines
conducting wires being placed too close has happened all over the world. Another bald
together. When a bird’s feathers, talons, or eagle was electrocuted near the Marco Island
beak come in contact with power lines, then Nature Preserve and bird Sanctuary. That eagle
conduction can occur. The outcome is even was electrocuted because, with his long
worse when the eagle is wet. The American Eagle wingspan, hit two electrical wires at once
Foundation states that most of electrocutions occur on (Husted, 2018). This resulted in an electrical
medium-voltage distribution lines because of the shock to the eagle and caused his untimely
spacing between conductors that are often death. And a bald eagle was electrocuted in
narrow enough to be bridged by a bird’s Bradenton, Florida and did not survive as well.
wingspan. In addition to one to three
conductors, these harmful power poles may The bodies of the eagles can’t be left where
also carry ground wires, transformers, or they were electrocuted, so they need to be
grounded metal braces (Thomas, 2018). moved to a new location. What happens to the
bodies of the deceased, electrocuted eagles?
POWER LINE COLLISIONS According to Eubanks (2017), the U.S. Fish
Another terrifying outcome for eagles is when and Wild-life Service reports that there are
they collide with power lines because of them more than 4,000 requests on the waiting list to
having limited sight; they are often electrocuted receive the approximately 900 eagles recovered
because of this. Bird size, agility, experience, flocking, by the repository each year. That number is
territorial activities, courtship activities, weather, time extremely high for eagles to be electrocuted,
of day, human activities, configuration, location of since there are numerous ways to prevent this
the line, line placement, and line size can all from happening.
contribute to these collisions (American Eagle
Foundation, 2018). When this occurs, major SIGNS THAT AN EAGLE HAS
modifications need to be done so that this does BEEN ELECTROCUTED
not happen again. Spotting an eagle that has been electrocuted is
When an incidence occurs, utility companies very apparent. The main thing to look for when
are required to keep track of how many eagles an eagle has been electrocuted are burn marks.
have been electrocuted by that same power line A deceased eagle that has only severe burns
and tag it a problem pole/line. A “problem pole/line” is and no other form of diseases that can cause
one where there have been documented avian death, is an eagle that has been electrocuted.
collisions, electrocutions, problem nest material or Hemorrhages in the subcutaneous tissue and
where there is a high risk of the avian mortality internal organs suggest cardiovascular injury
rate increasing (American Eagle Foundation, and can support the theory of death by
2018). Instead of trying to mask the problem, electrocution (Thomas, 2018). Also seeing the
utility companies can help prevent other eagles from deceased eagles laying near power poles can
getting electrocuted by having a more permanent also be a clue but not one of importance.
solution. Eagles colliding with power poles and power
lines can also cause power outages within the area that AVIAN-FRIENDLY
was affected.
POWER POLES

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A new study, conducted by researchers from 60-inch horizontal separation between energized
EDM International, focuses on preventing conductors and/or energized conductors and
bird electrocution through the identification grounded hardware (American Eagle Foundation,
and correction of high-risk pylons (Wiley, 2018). APLIC funds research projects that further the
2018). To help prevent eagles from getting knowledge of avian/power line interactions, including
electrocuted, these researchers have developed causes and solutions to avian mortalities due to power
new techniques to change the power lines, so line electrocutions and collisions.
that eagles will not be harmed when they land
and rest on the power poles and power lines. To prevent eagles from getting electrocuted
Using this technique could save millions of from pre-existing power poles and power lines,
eagles from getting electrocuted. using a 10-foot cross-arm can allow 60-inch
separation between each conductor (American
Utility companies can reduce the numbers of Eagle Foundation, 2018). But that is not always
eagle electrocutions, if they are willing to take the case. Some power poles may need to be
into consideration safe electrical power pole replaced where more eagle fatalities have
and power line configurations or by managing occurred. Replacing the entire power pole is a
eagles who perch on top of power poles. By better option because minor modifications will
using safe wiring configurations to separate the not help reduce the numbers of eagles
wires and the grounded metal parts, eagles electrocuted if the power pole has other
won’t be able to touch both parts at the same possible dangerous conditions. This will also
time (Figure 6). affect the safety of eagles.

CONCLUSION
Eagles are very important to different cultural
backgrounds. Many people believe that eagles
are sacred with numerous ways to protect
them. Eagles don’t have a voice, so it is up to
those in charge to help them survive and
prosper. Using avian-friendly power poles can
help many different eagle species survive and
live a longer life. They can avoid these
dangerous power lines and rest in locations
that are appropriate for them, without being
electrocuted.

Figure 6 Blueprint of a safe wiring configuration that separates The American Eagle Foundation is about
the conductors and other energized hardware. helping these eagles perch safely on top of
avian friendly power poles. Research has
USING AVIAN-FRIENDLY proven the different ways to prevent eagles
POWER POLES from being electrocuted, so that eagles of
different species can live up to their normal
To ensure that eagles are not harmed, utility lifespan and thrive in a healthy environment.
companies can make sure that there is a safe
distance between the wires and the grounded
parts when constructing the new power poles. REFERENCE
Avian Power Line Interaction Committee Universidad de Barcelona. "Electrocution of birds
(APLIC) recommends that utility companies and collision with power lines: Solutions to a global
can retrofit their power poles by adding a minimum problem." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 December

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2010.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/1012030
81805.htm
Kilen, Mike. “Internet famous eagle in Iowa
gets electrocuted, dies.” USA Today, Gannett
Satellite Information Network, 10 July 2014,
www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014
/07/10/decorah-eagle-electrocuted-
dies/12471781/.
Wiley. "Mitigation techniques fall short of
preventing electrocution of golden eagles on power
poles." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 January 2018.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/1801240
85606.htm
Thomas, Nancy J.
www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_50.pdf.

“Promote Avian-Friendly Power Lines.” American Eagle

Foundation, www.eagles.org/take-action/avian-friendly-
power-lines/
Husted, Samantha. “Bald Eagle 'Paleo' Appears to Have
Been Electrocuted.” Coastal Breeze News, 27 Feb. 2018,
www.coastalbreezenews.com/articles/bald-eagle-
paleo-appears-to-have-been-electrocuted/
Eubanks, Pam. “Bradenton bald eagle electrocuted East
County.” Your Observer, Your Observer, 20 Dec. 2017,
www.yourobserver.com/article/bradenton-bald-eagle-
electrocuted