Wild Bird Collisions With Communication Towers

Communication towers kill millions of migratory birds annually through direct collision and disorientation from lighting, representing a significant welfare problem.

Key Facts

An estimated 6 to 7 million birds die from communication tower strikes annually in the US
Towers with steady red warning lights attract more birds than those with flashing lights
Low-cloud nights during migration produce the highest collision mortality
Shorter towers with guy wires cause more deaths per tower than self-supporting structures
The FAA permitted flashing rather than continuous tower lighting to reduce bird deaths

Welfare Considerations

Communication tower bird collisions represent a welfare problem that is entirely preventable through tower design and lighting changes. The attraction of migrating birds to towers is well understood: artificial lighting disorients night-migrating songbirds, causing them to circle towers until exhausted. The switch from continuous to flashing red lights dramatically reduces mortality with minimal impact on aviation safety. Guy wire towers could be replaced with self-supporting structures. Political will and industry cooperation remain the primary barriers.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory flashing light requirements on all new and existing communication towers
Support legislation requiring guy wire marking to reduce bird collision deaths
Participate in bird collision monitoring programs around towers in your area
Contact communication companies about their tower lighting policies and collision monitoring