Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How can birds perch on a wire and not be electrocuted?
Answer: For electrocution to occur, a bird (or animal) must complete an electrical circuit by simultaneously touching two energized parts, or an energized part and a grounded part. Small birds such as blackbirds and starlings (pictured right) are often seen perching on energized wires (or conductors) but, these birds are too small to make simultaneous contact between conductors. They can however make contact between wires and other energized or grounded equipment. See Electrocutions
Question: What should I do if I find a dead bird below a power pole?
Answer:Leave the bird on site and do not touch or remove the carcass. If you are able, take pictures of the bird, pole, and any pole identification markers. Record the location as accurately as possible. Report the information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or your state wildlife resource agency, and the power company. A Federal Permit is needed for authorization to collect and temporarily possess MBTA-protected bird species, and State permits may be required as well (see below).
Question: Is it possible to prevent birds from perching or nesting on poles?
Answer: There are no devices that are completely effective in preventing birds from perching on poles. If a bird wants to perch on a structure, they often find a way! Devices installed to prevent perching may actually increase electrocution risk, and in some cases, provide a substrate to secure nest material. Perch deterrents should be applied based on site-specific conditions and with other avian-safe measures. Deterrents are more effective at preventing nesting when used in conjunction with alternative nest platforms. (Link to Issues & Solutions/Problem Nests) (Pictured: Nest relocated to platform installed on pole, with nest discourager and avian covers).
Question: What is "avian-safe"?
Answer: An "avian-safe" power pole is designed to minimize bird electrocution risk by providing sufficient separation between energized and grounded wires and equipment to accommodate the height and wingspan of birds, which varies depending on species present in the geographic region and habitat. If such separation cannot be provided, exposed parts are covered to reduce electrocution risk. (Link to Issues & Solutions/ Electrocutions).
Question: How do I find out what permits my utility needs to salvage carcasses or manage nests of protected bird species?
Answer: Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Permit Office in your region (http://www.fws.gov/permits/) to identify federal permit requirements, and also contact the state wildlife resource agency to identify any necessary state permit requirements.
Question: What is a streamer and how can it affect power reliability?
Answer: Streamers are long "streams" of excrement from large birds such as herons or large raptors that are often expelled when birds take off from a perch. Streamers can impact reliability in several ways. If a streamer contacts an energized conductor, the electrical current may travel through the streamer back to the bird or pole which may cause a bird electrocution, power outage, and/or line trip. More commonly, streamers may impact power reliability through the build-up of excrement on insulators which can compromise the integrity of an insulator, resulting in power outages or line trips. Excrement contamination is greatest in areas where large birds frequently use structures for nesting, roosting, or perching. (Pictured: Red-tailed Hawk releasing streamer-left, Red-tailed hawk perched on davit arm with excrement contamination-right).
Question: What is an Avian Protection Plan?
Answer: An Avian Protection Plan (APP) is a voluntary, company-wide framework to reduce the operational and avian risks that result from avian interactions with electric utility facilities. Although APPs are company-specific, and each utility’s APP will be different, the overall goals of reducing avian mortality and improving reliability are the same. APPs are “living documents” that are continually evaluated and refined over time. APP Guidelines were jointly released by APLIC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2005 which offer resources for developing an APP (link to Resources/APP page).
Question: My utility is interested in developing an APP. Where do we start?
Answer: 1. Identify your company’s key avian issues. By identifying the key biological issues that your company may face (e.g., electrocutions, collisions, nests, construction activity) and your type of operations (distribution, transmission, small or large service territory), you can begin prioritizing what you will need in an APP. APLIC resources, including the APP Guidelines {link} and short courses {link} can help you develop an APP. The APP Guidelines were developed by APLIC and USFWS, and are intended to provide utilities with resources and examples that can be tailored to a company’s specific needs. When developing an APP, you should contact your local USFWS office and state wildlife resource agency for information on bird concentration areas, regulations, and permits. Likewise, other utilities with implemented APPs can provide guidance based on their experience and lessons learned. While an APP may not initially be comprehensive, it should start with components that are a higher priority to your utility, and should refine and build on these over time. (Link to APP Guidelines)