Another 2012 bald eagle has been electrocuted

(File picture of one of the Decorah bald eagles)

Another one of the 2012 Decorah Eaglets has been electrocuted.  The transmitter data was showing no movement, so Raptor Resource Project Director Bob Anderson drove to Rockford, Iowa Monday morning.  Anderson used a portable receiver and tracked down the dead bird at the base of a single phase power pole.   The bird was obviously electrocuted with electrical burns to one foot and burns to one wing.
 
Anderson immediately notified the utility company.  D14's body will be sent to the National Eagle Repository, where his feathers and other parts will be distributed for use in Native American religious ceremonies.

How common is electrocution? A federal study done in the 1990s identified impact injuries, poisoning, gunshot, and electrocution as the top four sources of bald eagle mortality.  New poles commonly have bird safety devices since bird electrocutions are not only tragic, but can cause fires and power supply disruptions. However, many old poles remain and safety devices don't always work. It's been known since the 1920s that power lines and poles can present a danger to birds. As Bald eagle (and presumably other large birds) populations expand, more electrocutions may happen.

After D12's death, a group calling themselves The Memorial for D12 Facebook Group (aka The Raptor Nation) worked with Alliant Energy, Puget Sound Energy, Decorah High School, and Decorah Building Supply worked together to develop and fit bird-safe perches for the hatchery.

If you'd like to initiate a perch project in your area, please talk with your local power company. The following links are good sources of information:

•         Avian Power Line Interaction Committee: http://www.aplic.org/
•         D12 Memorial Group story: http://raptorresource.blogspot.com/2012/11/bird-safe-power-poles.html
•         Avian Protection Devices: http://www.srpnet.com/environment/aviandiagram.aspx
•         D12 Perches: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68092929@N03/8203641600/