How to Protect Power Substations from Bird Related Damage

Apr 22, 2025

Power substations and generators are vital and expensive infrastructure assets responsible for distributing electricity to homes, businesses, and critical facilities. However, these essential infrastructure assets face an often-overlooked threat: bird interference. As birds are one of the top leading causes of substation outages, understanding and addressing the threat of bird damage is crucial for maintaining grid stability and reducing expensive, unnecessary outages. 

 The Top Bird Culprits That Damage Electrical Systems 

Protecting your substations and generators from bird damage starts with understanding the different types of birds that can cause system outages. In particular, substations are susceptible to damage caused by both large and small bird species. Large birds such as Canada geese, snow geese, herons, hawks, and eagles can trigger flashovers when their wingspans bridge the gap between energized components. Meanwhile, smaller birds like starlings, pigeons, and sparrows often nest in equipment, creating fire hazards and impeding proper operation. 

 

Canada geese deserve special attention as particularly problematic substation visitors. Their large bodies, wide wingspans, and preference to nest in areas that reduce their exposure to perceived predatory threats (e.g., inside fencing protecting substations) make them significant threats to electrical infrastructure. If you see geese congregating near substations, it’s critical to take action before damage occurs.  

 

How Birds Disrupt Power Systems 

Bird interactions with substations cause damage through several mechanisms: 

1. Direct contact bridging: When a bird’s body or wingspan creates a conductive path between energized equipment and grounded components, it can cause short circuits and protective equipment trips. 

1. Nesting materials: Birds can bring conductive materials like wire, wet vegetation, and metal foil to build nests, creating fire hazards and impedance issues within equipment. 

1. Equipment blockage: Nests can physically block cooling vents, prevent proper operation of switches, and interfere with moving components, leading to overheating and mechanical failures. 

1. Waste accumulation: Bird droppings contain uric acid that corrodes metal components over time and carry numerous diseases that present human health and safety concerns for workers.  

The High Cost of Bird-Related Outages 

The financial impact of bird-related substation outages extends far beyond immediate repair costs. When a critical substation fails, the consequences ripple throughout the community. 

For utilities, a single bird-caused outage can cost $15,000-$200,000 in direct repair expenses. More significantly, these incidents affect reliability metrics that impact regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction. The average bird-caused outage lasts 2-4 hours, representing a substantial revenue loss. 

For communities, the human cost can be even more concerning. When power fails at hospitals, water/ wastewater treatment facilities, or traffic control systems, public health and safety is directly threatened. Patients on life support, critical water and wastewater treatment flows, and other essential services all depend on reliable electricity. 

Case Study: Wild Goose Chase Protects Critical Hospital Power 

Wild Goose Chase is proud to have nearly 30 years of experience helping thousands of properties address their bird issues. One of our clients, a utility company managing multiple electrical substations, faced a serious situation when Canada geese began nesting on their substation property. The consequences became dire when these nests and the persistence presence of Canda geese triggered an outage at a substation serving a regional hospital. 

To address their growing geese population, Wild Goose Chase implemented a comprehensive solution: 

1. Our licensed and experienced wildlife specialists conducted a thorough site assessment, safely removing existing nests and eggs in compliance with Federal and State regulations. 

1. We installed a programmable bird deterrent laser system calibrated to discourage geese from returning to the site without harming them while protecting critical infrastructure around-the-clock.  

1. We established a routine maintenance schedule to manage goose populations in adjacent areas, preventing new nests from developing near the critical infrastructure. 

The results were immediate and lasting. Through a combination of solutions, our team was able to substantially reduce the risk of bird damage to the substation. This approach demonstrates how professional wildlife management can protect critical infrastructure through a combination of responsive and proactive measures. By partnering with specialized experts like Wild Goose Chase, utilities can ensure reliable power delivery with peace of mind their infrastructural assets are protected from potential bird damage. 

Contact Wild Goose Chase today to discuss your facility’s needs and find the best bird deterrent solution for your property!