Nature News reported on research about how vultures are unable to see objects that are right in front of them. This explains why they often run into wind turbines and power lines. Although vultures have sharp vision, they have a blind spot to what is right in front of them. The article explains:
“The researchers found that vultures have large visual fields that give comprehensive coverage of the ground ahead and the sky on either side, allowing them to scan for food while observing other vultures. But they have large blind spots above and below their heads. When they fly, they tilt their heads downwards, so that the space directly in front of them becomes a blind area.”
Painting stripes or hanging things from wind turbines does not seem to help. The article makes the case that wind turbines and vultures need to be kept away from each other.
Read more at: Vultures blind to the dangers of wind farms : Nature News & Comment.
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