5 replies to this topic

[Seattle]

We spotted a dead great horned owl hanging from a telephone pole / power pole yesterday. I have a photo but this wasn't a very pretty site so I won't post it. Does anyone have any ideas what would have killed this bird. It doesn't look like it just flew in the the pole. What a sad end to a fun day of bird watching.

[Bird Brain]

I don't know, Seattle. Many, many moons ago...too many to count... I saw such a sight in N. Fla. where I was raised up. I went by a power pole one day and saw a GH Owl clinging to the side of it near the top. Its head was leaning over and resting on top of the pole. I remember thinking it was asleep and thought it was funny to see an Owl sleeping like that! A couple of days later I passed by there again and the Owl was still there in the same position. By this time it was obvious that it was dead. I don't know what killed it, or what was keeping it in that position. Never did figure that one out!

[creeker]

Seattle, pm me the pic and I'll see if I can figure it out. I have seen raptors killed by power lines and such over the years.

[Seattle]

I just sent the pic, let me know what you think,

[creeker]

It does appear that the owl was electrocuted. If the owl had died any other way, it would have dropped to the ground. Unfortunately it's not all that uncommon. Definitely less killed this way than by cars, though. Here's a link that talks about a similar situation. The pic here is even more graphic than Seatte's, so be forewarned.

EDIT: Might help if I actually posted the link.........


http://www.tsweekly....ar-sisters.html

[BarnSwallow]

I remember reading a while ago that they were making power poles a little different in some areas because too many eagles were getting electrocuted. They were making it so it was not possible for the birds to put one foot on the live part, and one on the grounded part.

Ah, found an article on it, http://www.hcn.org/i.../245/print_view

I saw a black vulture hanging by his feet from a tree the other day, dead. I'm assuming he got tangled in something, but I was driving by and couldn't get a good look.