Quick Take
- Wind turbines are a known threat to eagles, and a surprisingly simple fix is already cutting collisions at commercial farms. See how collisions are reduced →
- Federal law forbids anyone from disturbing an eagle, yet wind farms operate legally next to them. Here's how they stay compliant. Explore the legal framework →
- A system called DTBird can detect an approaching eagle before disaster strikes. How DTBird detects eagles →
In recent years, wildlife experts and conservationists have criticized wind farms for their potential harm to animals. This is especially true for protected eagle populations located near such farms, primarily bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), per a press release by AAAS and EurekAlert!
Many argue that turbines pose high collision risks, often killing large soaring birds like eagles, hawks, and vultures. However, according to the press release, a new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research highlights a new safety system protecting such birds: audio deterrents at commercial wind-energy facilities. The research found that wind turbines with audio deterrents help reduce collisions and deaths by emitting warning sounds to approaching birds.
The Importance of Eagle Conservation
Eagle conservation is crucial to maintaining an overall healthy ecosystem. For decades, animal conservationists have pushed for eagle protection. In fact, wind farms must comply with the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. This forbids anyone from harming or disturbing eagles.
As per the protection act: “Regulations further define ‘disturb’ as ‘to agitate or bother a bald or golden eagle to a degree that causes, or is likely to cause, based on the best scientific information available, 1) injury to an eagle, 2) a decrease in its productivity, by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior, or 3) nest abandonment, by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior.’”
About the Wind Farm Safety System for Eagles
Unfortunately, wind farms and turbines pose notable risks to soaring eagles. However, the study published in the Journal of Raptor Research offered a solution to this concern, called DTBird.
Wind turbines can be extremely dangerous to birds like eagles.
©TebNad/Shutterstock.com
“As wind-energy development continues to expand globally to help slow impacts from climate change, so does the need to mitigate impacts to birds from collisions with wind turbines,” the study authors wrote. “DTBird is an automated detection, audio deterrent, and turbine curtailment system designed to discourage birds from entering the rotor-swept zone (RSZ) of spinning wind turbines.”
Essentially, such deterrents can detect approaching eagles, then emit a warning sound or signal to deter them. This greatly decreases the number of collisions and deaths by dissuading birds from approaching more than 50% of the time.
Lead author Dr. Shilo Felton stated in the press release, “This study, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, gives the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evidence-based information to consider in federal policy decisions.”
