Electrocution
Hazards to Birds from Electricity'Electrocution'
Electrocution is a lethal passage of electricity through a living body,
resulting in muscle spasm, burns, shock, cardiac arrest and death
Mock up of CU2 Jimmy tragically electrocuted on 11 May 2015 when he perched
on an end power pole at Hiraeth cottage, nr Pentrefoelas, Conwy, North Wales.
Electrocution is usually performed by a ground fault (2. below) caused by the bridging of live conductors and earthed components (poles, pylons). The greatest danger is from medium voltage lines / poles where the phase shift distances are small, so that the birds settling can cause a short circuit or ground fault. Particularly dangerous are crossbars with upstanding pin insulators.
2 Ways Birds Get ELECTROCUTED
Electricity will only flow where there is a potential (voltage) difference.
Touch 1x live + 1x grounded part
The lethal current routes from energised wire
through the bird's body to ground.
Credit for excellent diagrams:
Universidad de Barcelona
The result is a violent death from muscle spasm, cardiac arrest and severe burns:
In some areas of the world the problem has reached catastrophic proportions:
Bonelli's Eagle's numbers have dropped drastically. Left, electrocuted in Sudan. Right, in Spain
Some species driven to the verge of extinction:
White Stork numbers have reached a critical low, here one seen electrocuted in Bulgaria
Killing Ground: Mass electrocution of Flamingos on Khadir Island, Gujarat
Photo R.D.Meriya: 8am November 20, 2011
