Buzzards cause power outages in central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio electric company may have figured out what’s been causing some of its customers to lose power — black buzzards roosting on transmission lines and transformers.

American Electric Power Ohio spokeswoman Fay White says the wings of the large birds coming into contact with energized equipment can cause faults on the line, knocking out power and killing the birds.

WBNS-TV said the buzzards have caused a number of temporary power outages in Fairfield County in central Ohio.

White said that after complaints, crews installed 6-inch plastic spikes that are meant to keep the birds from landing on the lines and transformers.

She said osprey, eagles and other large birds also have been known to roost on the lines and cause problems.