Crows Disrupt South Korea's Power Infrastructure, Causing Widespread Blackouts from Seoul to Busan

Crows are some of the most intelligent animals in the world, as observed by scientists in the past several decades. These birds are known for being scavengers, remembering faces, holding funerals for their deceased, mating for life, and among others.

Furthermore, research almost a decade ago found that scavenger crows are doing public service by eating animal carcasses and feed on other dead organisms.

Despite the observed qualities possessed by crows, there are instances when they also become an inconvenience or nuisance for humans. For instance, crows are known for sitting on electric wires, which can cause not only potential localized power outages, but also threaten their lives as well due to possible electrocution. One particular related case has been occurring in an East Asian country in recent years.

Since 2021, these avians have been causing widespread power outages across South Korea by disrupting the nation's power infrastructure. Blackouts have been reported from the capital city of Seoul to the southeastern city of Busan, according to local reports. Particularly, the culprits behind these disruptions are members of the crow species Corvus macrorhynchos, commonly known as the large-billed crow.

South Korea Power Outages

South Korean crows have been reported to cause widespread power outages in different parts of the country in recent years. In recent days, local sources reported that long-billed crows are responsible blackouts ranging from Seoul to Busan over the past year, affecting both residential and commercial establishments.

Earlier in June 2024, a blackout in the Yeonjae District of Busan impacted around 500 homes and a local middle school. In September 2023, almost 500 households experienced power outages in the Guro District of Seoul. Local investigations revealed that crows were behind the blackouts, after some of them were found electrocuted near damaged telephone poles.

Can Birds Get Electrocuted?

It is common to see crows and other bird species sitting on electrical wires, both in urban and rural areas. Although prevailing evidence shows there is a low chance for the avians to get electrocuted while sitting on power lines, experts say birds can still get electrocuted. In fact, data shows that electrocutions kill tens of thousands of birds each year, as cited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

While birds can die from various causes, including window strikes, predation, and diseases, they can also be killed by bird-related electrical outages. According to the ANSI, wet weather has contributed to bird deaths since wet birds are more vulnerable to electrocution. However, bird-window collisions remain the leading cause of bird mortality, in addition to the mentioned causes earlier.

According to the organization Bird Life International, birds can be electrocuted when they complete an electrical circuit. This can happen when an avian simultaneously touch at least one or two energized parts, as well as a grounded part. For instance, electrocution may occur when a bird stretches its wings and make contact with two wires of the same power line.