Figure 89 - uploaded by Juan José Iglesias-Lebrija
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Electrocution usually occurs when the bird's body touches two conductors (A and B) or a conductor and a metal grounded part (C to H) at the same time. More rarely, electrocutions may result from defecation (I) or the formation of an electric arc (J). Note that in the case of ungrounded crossarms, electrocution can only occur by contact between two phases; i.e. cases A and B. Source: prepared by Justo Martín Martín based on Martín Martín et al., 2019.
Source publication
As mentioned in previous chapters, electrocution can occur in two ways: by contact
between two conductors or, more frequently, by contact between a conductor and
an earthed metallic structure (the crossarm itself or a ground wire), and birds are
among the groups most seriously affected (Figures 88 and 89). Given the distance
between supports, the s...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... other cases, electrocution is the result of indirect contact, as sometimes occurs when a raptor takes its prey to a pylon to feed. The prey item may hang down and touch a conductor, allowing the electricity to flow through the bird, which is in contact with a metal part ( Figure 89). This has been documented for species such as the Eurasian eagle owl, the black kite and the short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus). ...
