Bird collisions with wind generators in China: a review of avoidance and minimization measures

As wind energy becomes a key pillar in global decarbonization strategies, preventing bird collisions with wind turbines has become a critical ecological challenge. This review focuses on methods for avoidance and minimization of bird collisions, with a particular emphasis on their applicability in China-the world's largest wind energy producer. International measures to mitigate bird collision are synthesized, e.g., siting strategies, detection-reaction systems (DRSs), turbine painting, ultraviolet (UV) lighting, manual curtailment, Bluetooth-based detection, acoustic deterrents, and habitat management. Each method is evaluated in terms of technical feasibility, ecological effectiveness, and implementation challenges. While siting remains the best preventive measure, dynamic technologies such as AI-enhanced DRSs and integrated habitat management show promising potential. However, data scarcity, regulatory gaps, and limited empirical testing continue to hinder widespread adoption in China. The paper concludes by recommending multi-layered strategies that combine pre-construction planning, real-time monitoring, and post-construction habitat adaptation, alongside the need for improved national monitoring systems and context-specific field trials.