Wind turbine blade colour combinations and their efficacy in reducing avian collision risk

Researchers at Helsinki University compared how effectively various colours and patterns on simulated wind turbine blades discourage a tit from pecking a target it has been trained to associate with food. They found that white blades were the least deterring, followed by red-striped blades, one blade painted black, and the most effective deterrent was a combination of black, red and yellow - colours used by multiple species to indicate bad taste or poison. Field experiments with actual wind turbines are recommended, but not yet possible becuse aviation law requires white blades.

Direct [link to PDF](https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/d3b481cf-7488-49b7-9455-540d4c1f66c8/full), summary in Finnish, main content in English.

Finnish-language [news article](https://yle.fi/a/74-20223329) with video of experimental conditions.