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Electrocution on power lines is an important human‐related cause of bird mortality and an important conservation issue worldwide. Besides impacts on bird populations, electrocutions cause power outages, resulting in damage to power line network integrity. However, there is a general lack of knowledge on the risk of bird electrocution, especially in developing countries. Generating information over large scales without resorting to local mortality data can be useful for the development of regional management strategies, particularly in countries where electrocution is poorly documented. Here, we developed a framework to model the risk of bird electrocution as an interaction between the species‐specific exposure to power lines (pole density within a species distribution range) and susceptibility (morphological and behavioral traits associated with electrocution hazards). We applied this framework to Brazil, identifying 283 species that face a risk of electrocution, of which 38 were classified as higher risk, mostly raptors (76%). The Pantanal (a large wetland biome) concentrates the greatest cumulative susceptibility due to the high number of species vulnerable to electrocution (i.e. large species using power lines for perching or nesting), while the Atlantic Forest region has a higher risk for electrocution, due to the spatial overlap between the presence of vulnerable species and high exposure to power lines. Furthermore, our study identified spatial patterns of bird electrocution, highlighting priority areas for electrocution susceptibility and electrocution risk to be further investigated, and where measures to mitigate bird electrocutions should be applied on new and existing power lines. Our framework allows a preliminary assessment aimed at identifying areas of higher risk of electrocution, to highlight species vulnerable to this threat and to improve power line routing. This approach can be replicated to other understudied areas of the world where the same information is available.

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Electrocution can pose a serious threat to large birds, particularly to threatened species with low population sizes. However, few studies have focused on the impacts of electrocution on large parrots such as the Endangered Lear's Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari), endemic to the Brazilian Caatinga. Here, we compile and describe 31 electrocution events, as reported by villagers, indicating that electrocution may be an important threat to the Lear's Macaw. We suggest a research and monitoring agenda to better understand the spatial and temporal patterns of this impact and recommend some immediate mitigation measures for decreasing electrocutions.

ABSTRACT. Bird fl ight behavior in response to marked wire use in power transmission lines. As a result of the expansion of the energy sector and the subsequent installation of new power transmission lines (LTs), birds are increasingly exposed to the risk of direct mortality due to collision with these structures. In order to minimize collisions, bird fl ight diverters are fi xed in the static wire. We tested, with an indirect measure, the eff ectiveness of this dispositive by means of observations of the alteration of the fl ight behavior in distinct bird families. We considered two risk variables -position of the line transposition fl ight and fl ight distance in relation to the cables -observed on mitigated and unmitigated spans of a LT located on the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We used chi-square test (α = 0.05) for the two risk variables and for each family separately to test for diff erences in behavior responses to fl ight diverters. Out of 13 families, only Hirundinidae showed risk avoidance fl ight behavior on mitigated lines. Despite the wire marking be indicated as the most appropriate measure to mitigate these fatalities, our behavioral study do not supported this claim, at the family level. However, before their abandonment we discuss the need of a meta-analysis of their eff ectiveness on Brazilian TLs as well improvements needed in monitoring study designs.KEYWORDS. High voltage lines, Hirundinidae, mitigation, collision risk.RESUMO. Como consequência da ampliação do setor energético e da instalação de novas linhas de transmissão de energia (LTs), as aves estão expostas a um risco crescente de mortalidade direta em virtude da colisão com essas estruturas. Com o propósito de minimizar as colisões, sinalizadores de avifauna são instalados nos cabos para-raios das LTs. Buscamos testar a efi ciência dos sinalizadores por meio de observações da alteração no comportamento de voo de aves avaliado em nível de famílias taxonômicas. Consideramos duas variáveis de exposição ao risco de colisão -posição do voo de transposição da linha e distância perpendicular em relação aos cabos -observadas em vãos sinalizados e não sinalizados de uma LT localizada no litoral norte do Rio Grande do Sul -Brasil. Realizamos o teste Qui-Quadrado (α = 0,05) para as duas variáveis de risco e para cada família em separado. Das famílias analisadas (n = 13), somente uma (Hirundinidae) apresentou alteração do comportamento de voo na presença dos sinalizadores. Apesar da sinalização dos cabos ser indicada como a medida mais apropriada para a mitigação dessas fatalidades, nossos resultados não revelaram isso quando avaliados em nível de família. No entanto, antes de abandonar essa estratégia de mitigação, nós discutimos a necessidade da aplicação de meta-análises para verifi car a efetividade desses dispositivos nas LTs instaladas no Brasil, assim como a necessidade de aperfeiçoamento nos desenhos amostrais dos estudos de monitoramentos dessas infraestruturas.PALAVRAS-CHAVE. Linhas de alta tensão, Hirundinidae, mitigação,...

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