Painted turbines can save millions of birds

What do snakes, poisonous frogs, and wind turbines have in common? Scientists tested whether warning color patterns inspired by nature could help birds avoid deadly collisions with wind turbines. In video-game-style experiments, great tits, distinctive small birds, were shown different blade designs, including a new pattern based on the bold visual colors used by some animals to deter predators. The birds hesitated longer and approached less often when warning patterns were present — especially the bio-inspired design. Scientists hope that copying nature’s own safety signs could help make wind energy safer for birds.This article was originally published on Mongabay