Power Lines 'Invisible' To Birds

Vision experts found that cranes, bustards and storks were unable to see obstacles straight ahead when they tilted their heads downwards in flight.

Birds often look down during flight to find fellow birds as well as nesting and feeding areas, say the researchers.

The new evidence suggests that the problem cannot be prevented by altering the appearance of power lines.

Millions of birds are thought to be killed by hitting power lines globally each year.

Clear statistics are difficult to obtain because birds' remains are often scavenged before the cause of death can be recorded.

Despite efforts to make power lines more visible through the use of reflective markers and high-visibility tags, certain species still have high mortality rates from power line crashes. Read the full report here.

Source: by Ella Davies, BBC - Earth News reporter.