Yes, they kill birds.  If there were no wind turbines in the world, there would be no bird deaths from wind turbines, this is obvious.  But, wind turbines do not kill as many birds as most other man-made structures or natural occurences.

Take a look at the estimates below of Average Bird Deaths/Year from:

1. Windows:  100 Million – 1 Billion (Yes, a wide range, but A LOT)
2. Electric Power Lines: 150 Million (Give or take 50 Million)
3. House Cats:  100 Million (Even house cats have hunting skills)
4. Automobiles:  100 Million (Give or take 50 million)
5. Wind Turbines:  25 Thousand (Give or take 15 thousand)

As you can see, wind turbines kill significantly less birds that other man-made structures and house cats.

So What’s all the Commotion about Wind Turbines and Birds?

Well, it would be nice if wind turbines did not kill any birds, but that’s not the case.

The real issue, however, is when wind turbines kill endangered species.  Like that case of the Tehachapi Mountain Wind Farm just north of Los Angeles.  These California wind farms have been the cause of death of several golden eagles, an endangered bird of prey.

Federal wildlife officials are having a hard time regulating the choice between cleaner energy and the lives of the lost golden eagles.  The easiest next step would be to do significant research of the flying and migration patters of endangered birds and carefully plan around these areas.  Unfortunately, bird migration and flying patters frequently use up the best wind space desired for wind turbine construction, tightening the dilemma even more.

Conclusion

Many things kill birds.  Wind turbines kill less birds than most other things that kill birds.  Now, we have to either make the choice between building wind turbines or killing birds, or we have to develop better technology that prevents birds from being killed by wind turbines.

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