Wind turbines can kill birds and bats. Birds are sometimes killed in collisions with turbines, meteorological towers, and power transmission lines at land-based wind facilities; turbine-related bat deaths have been reported at each wind facility studied to date (GAO 2005; Kingsley and Whittam 2007; Kunz et al.

The IRENA report found that solar and onshore wind are the cheapest energy sources. It states that in 2017 wind turbine prices had an average cost of $0.06 per kWh, and at times dropped to $0.04 per kWh.

Audubon strongly supports wind power and recognizes that it will not be without some impact; however, harmful effects to birds and other wildlife can be avoided or significantly reduced in the following ways: Federal, state or local planning for wind energy in “low impact” areas where permitting can be more efficient.

In 2016, a first-of-its-kind study estimated that the hundreds of utility-scale solar farms around the US may kill nearly 140,000 birds annually. One leading theory suggests birds mistake the glare from solar panels for the surface of a lake and swoop in for a landing, with deadly results.

Wind turbines at Altamont Pass kill an estimated 880 to 1,300 birds of prey each year, including up to 116 golden eagles, 300 red-tailed hawks, 380 burrowing owls, and additional hundreds of other raptors including kestrels, falcons, vultures, and other owl species.

These include numerous documented cases of turbines falling over, blades flying off, injuries to workers and the public, and at least 99 reported fatality accidents. Of the deaths, 67 were wind industry and direct supporters workers or small turbine operators and 32 were public fatalities.

The lives of birds must be saved. The problem is, the data shows that relatively few birds are killed by wind turbines. In fact, death-by-wind-turbine accounts for roughly one-tenth of a percent of all birds killed in the United States every year.

Bird mortality associated with pesticides, oil spills, oil pools, and other contaminant sources have also received significant attention. Domestic and feral cats have also been considered a major source of anthropogenic-caused mortality with estimates near 100 million annual bird deaths.

Many bird die-offs are caused by massive trauma to birds’ heads, wings, and bodies from powerful collisions. This can occur when flocks are startled and panicked and their natural agility is compromised.

When it comes to bird deaths, cats are unrivaled as the leading cause. Whereas wind turbines only kill about 234,000 birds every year in the United States, felines kill 2.4 billion, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. As of 2017, cats killed more birds than all other human-related causes combined.

habitat loss

The cause is not at all clear, with some scientists theorizing that climate change factors are playing a part. Most of the birds are insect eaters, and they’ve been found emaciated and disoriented, suggesting a gap in the food supply. There’s also speculation that wildfires are affecting the lives of these birds.

Not extinct

It’s well known that cassowaries can be dangerous, and indeed together with ostriches [UPDATE: and chickens] they are the only birds known to have definitely killed humans*. Serious injuries resulting from cassowary attacks are most likely to occur if the person is crouching or is lying or has fallen on the ground.