House Hearing on Bird Killing Ignores Wind Turbine Impacts

Lawmakers focus on culling certain bird species, but avoid discussing wind industry's role in bird deaths

Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:23pm

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A recent House hearing on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which protects over 1,100 bird species in the U.S., failed to address the significant impact of wind turbines on bird populations. While the hearing discussed expanding the MBTA to cover 'incidental taking' or accidental bird killings, the discussion centered around problematic bird species like black vultures and double-crested cormorants, rather than the millions of birds killed annually by wind farms. The silence on wind's impact was 'deafening,' according to the author, who notes that well over 50,000 wind turbines are currently operating across America.

Why it matters

The MBTA is a crucial law for protecting bird species, many of which are in decline according to recent studies. However, the failure to address the wind industry's role in bird deaths during the hearing represents a significant oversight, as wind turbines have become a major source of 'incidental' bird killings. Addressing this issue through potential MBTA reforms or separate legislation is important for safeguarding bird populations.

The details

The House hearing was meant to consider possible changes to the MBTA, including adding provisions for 'incidental taking' or accidental bird killings. However, the topic of wind turbines killing birds was never brought up, even though one of the witnesses was an avian safety expert from a major utility. Instead, the discussion focused on problematic bird species like black vultures and double-crested cormorants that have become overpopulated and cause issues for farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. A bill has been submitted to add incidental taking to the MBTA, but this was also not discussed during the hearing.

  • The House hearing was delayed and did not start until around minute 43 of the video recording.
  • A recent study called 'State of the Birds 2025' found that many American bird species are losing population, which was described as a 'crisis' during the hearing.

The players

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)

A law passed in 1916 as part of a treaty with Canada that protects over 1,100 species of migratory or non-migratory birds in the United States.

Black vultures

A bird species that has transitioned into a pack predator, killing calves and other small domestic animals. Farmers and ranchers are currently unable to simply shoot these birds under the MBTA.

Double-crested cormorants

A highly successful bird species that forms huge flocks that can devastate aquaculture facilities by eating all the fish. They also pose a threat to sport fish populations in smaller lakes and ponds.

Liz Cheney

The chairwoman of the House committee holding the hearing, who mentioned wind turbines killing birds several times in her opening remarks, including efforts in her home state of Wyoming to address wind farms' impact on eagles.

Albany County (Wyoming) Conservancy

A group fighting against the construction of a 'wall of wind' in Wyoming, highlighting the impact on birds.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

A House Bill has been submitted to add 'incidental taking' or accidental bird killings to the MBTA, but this was not discussed during the hearing. The committee and witnesses also avoided any substantive discussion of the wind industry's role in bird deaths, which some experts estimate to be over 1 million birds per year.

The takeaway

The House hearing's failure to address the significant impact of wind turbines on bird populations, despite the topic being raised by the committee chairwoman, represents a major oversight. Addressing the wind industry's role in bird deaths through MBTA reforms or separate legislation will be crucial for protecting vulnerable bird species across the United States.