Clean Energy Solutions for Birds

Audubon’s science shows that two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk from climate impacts. Golden Eagles, for example, are projected to lose 44 percent of their current range unless we take bold action to cut pollution and slow global temperature rise. That’s why Audubon supports the rapid and responsible deployment of utility-scale wind and solar energy and the expanded grid that will require.

Applying our long history of conservation science, Audubon engages directly with project developers to help ensure that infrastructure is sited and operated in ways that avoid, minimize, and offset impacts to birds. As we meet growing energy needs and update the aging electric grid, project planning must address any possible impacts to birds and other wildlife. While all infrastructure can pose risks to birds, decades of research have improved our understanding of solutions. 

Solutions: Avoid, Minimize, Offset, Monitor

Audubon’s experts and on-the-ground network influence clean energy siting and operations to benefit birds, other wildlife, and habitat. Our advanced mapping analysis can be used to identify lowest-conflict siting, and we advocate for rigorous monitoring that supports research and helps ensure projects continue to minimize impacts to birds over time. 

Audubon recommends planning processes that follow this approach:

Avoid

Carefully identify and avoid areas that pose a high risk of impacts or are important to birds and habitat connectivity. Best practices include co-locating transmission lines on existing rights-of-way like highways to minimize the overall footprint and reduce the chance of collisions; avoiding siting solar projects on intact native grasslands as these ecosystems are among the most imperiled in North America; and planning offshore wind far from rich coastal resources to leave more seabird habitat intact.  

Minimize

Develop, research, and implement minimization technologies at project sites that reduce the risk of collisions and other challenges. For example, installing ultraviolet (UV) lighting on transmission lines has been shown to significantly reduce collisions for Sandhill Cranes in certain locations and conditions. Camera-based systems paired with machine learning can detect raptors like Golden Eagles or California Condors and immediately shut down nearby wind turbines, and current research is assessing whether contrast painting on wind turbine rotor blades will help birds avoid wind turbines.

Offset

If impacts from wind, solar, or transmission infrastructure are predicted or occur, offset them with conservation actions that improve habitat or benefit the affected species. There are many mitigation options, but examples include protecting nesting areas, restoring or conserving important grassland habitat, or supporting captive breeding programs.  

Monitor

Before and after construction, use the latest technologies to monitor bird movements. For example, the Motus Wildlife Tracking System uses automated radio receiver stations to detect tagged birds, and video-and-machine learning systems can monitor bird interactions at wind and solar projects.

Challenges: Displacement, Collisions, Habitat Changes

Audubon’s clean energy engagement aims to reduce population-level risks from development while minimizing impacts to individual birds. With thoughtful planning and mitigation, these challenges to birds can be addressed:

Displacement

Siting projects near habitat like wetlands or riparian areas where high concentrations of birds regularly frequent may cause them to avoid places they rely on. In such a case, projects may act detours that force birds to expend more energy. The impacts would likely be greatest for migratory bird species like Sandhill Cranes that regularly commute between roosting and foraging areas.  

Collisions

Some bird species face higher risk of collisions with transmission lines or wind turbine blades than others. For example, Golden Eagle populations are currently stable, but their relatively small numbers and slow reproductive rates mean that any additional mortality without offsets could affect their overall population trajectory. For most species, mortality from responsibly sited wind turbines is not expected to result in population-level impacts.

Habitat Changes

Construction, maintenance, and operation can alter habitat quality and connectivity. This may reduce food availability, disrupt breeding or migration, and increase exposure to predators and other stressors. This is a major concern for species like Greater Sage-Grouse that depend on large, intact landscapes like sagebrush habitat are less able to adapt to disturbed or fragmented areas a poorly sited solar project could cause.  

Responsibly planned solar energy, wind energy, and modern grid improvements are essential to reducing climate risks to birds while supporting stable populations over time. By prioritizing careful siting, continued monitoring, and adaptive management, we can help stabilize the climate and meet energy needs in ways that also protect birds.

Visit Birds and Clean Energy for more information on Audubon’s work.