Welfare of Storks and Large Birds in Power Line Collisions

Power line collisions and electrocution kill millions of large birds annually globally, with white storks and other species particularly vulnerable.

Key Facts

Power line collisions kill an estimated 25 million birds annually in Spain alone
Large birds with wide wingspans are most vulnerable to electrocution on medium-voltage lines
Spain has retrofitted millions of poles following EU habitat directive requirements
Storks return to traditional nesting sites where power lines may have been installed
Africa is a major problem area as electrocution kills thousands of storks on migration

Welfare Considerations

Birds electrocuted on power lines experience instantaneous cardiac arrest or severe burns followed by death. Collision with power lines causes traumatic injuries from impact, with survivors sometimes found with severe head injuries, broken bones, and internal bleeding that cause prolonged suffering before death or recovery. Large raptors and storks are disproportionately affected due to their wingspan. The welfare harm is substantial in aggregate and is entirely preventable through insulation and bird-friendly pole retrofitting.

What You Can Do

Support bird-friendly power line retrofitting programs in your region
Donate to organizations working with utilities to make power lines safe for birds
Advocate for bird-friendly infrastructure requirements in energy development permits
Report electrocuted or collision-injured large birds to wildlife rehabilitators