Researchers at UWA’s School of Animal Biology suggested the high incidence of wind farm-related bird deaths could be caused by a difference in the way that birds perceive colour.
Because wind farms are aesthetically designed to minimise their visual impact for humans, the researchers have suggested that the spinning turbines may appear invisible to birds.
The UWA research intends to determine the spectral sensitivities of birds and compare them to the spectral reflectivity of wind farms.
If the researchers’ theories are correct, they believe turbine design can be modified to improve visibility for birds and thus reduce the number of deaths.
Funding for the research has been provided by the Australian Research Council.
