Electrocution on uninsulated power lines kills tens of thousands of large raptors annually, with golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, and vultures disproportionately affected.
Electrocution kills birds instantly in some cases but also causes severe burns, cardiac arrhythmia, and disorientation from non-lethal shocks. Birds that survive electrical contact suffer burn injuries to feet and wings that may require weeks of rehabilitation or prove fatal from secondary infection. The welfare harm is entirely preventable — the technology to retrofit poles is available, the regulatory framework exists, and the cost is modest relative to the severity and scale of mortality. Implementation pace is the primary barrier.