Radio and TV Towers Killing Songbirds; Solution Is Simple

[Judi Lynn]

Radio and TV Towers Killing Songbirds; Solution Is Simple
COLUMN by LEE DYE
Jan. 15, 2013

Giant TV and radio towers that have been blamed for nearly 7 million bird deaths each year are doing the most damage to species that can hardly afford the loss, according to a new study.

At least 97 percent of the birds that crash into the towers, or the guy wires that hold them up, are the tiny songbirds – mostly warblers – that are considered "birds of conservation concern" in the United States and Canada, according to the study, published in the journal Biological Conservation. Each year, according to the study, the species yellow rail loses about 9 percent of its total population because of communications towers, many of which are taller than the Empire State Building.

The latest study comes from the same researchers, members of the Los Angeles-based Urban Wildlands Group, that warned last year of the spiraling mortality of birds that are attracted to the lights, usually red, atop the towers. The lights are required by the Federal Aviation Administration for any tower over 200 feet tall, and there are thousands in North America that are more than 10 times that height.

The latest study comes from the same researchers, members of the Los Angeles-based Urban Wildlands Group, that warned last year of the spiraling mortality of birds that are attracted to the lights, usually red, atop the towers. The lights are required by the Federal Aviation Administration for any tower over 200 feet tall, and there are thousands in North America that are more than 10 times that height.

More:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/radio-transmission-towers-blamed-songbirds-deaths-blinking-warning/story?id=18213952

[RudynJack]

1. There are thousands

OF >2000 ft. tall towers in North America? Wiki shows a few dozen.

[mainer]

2. Cats kill 500 MILLION birds a year

Far larger source of mortality than TV towers.

Biggest cause of bird deaths? Windows.

http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/

[Judi Lynn]

3. Had no idea. What a damned shame.

Cat owners should be protective of their cats, even if it's fine with them if the cats terrorize and destroy birds. As many of us have been taught by life experience, dogs and cars both kill cats, not to mention sadisting human monsters.

When people learn for themselves by experience, they can't possibly want to throw their pets to fate ever again. Life is truly too precious to disrespect, in even the smallest forms.

[mainer]

4. In England, many cat owners put bells on cats' collars

to protect the songbirds. At least it gives birds some form of advance warning. Cats there are responsible for wiping out quite a few birds.