Tenerife Faces Legal Action Over Bird Deaths Caused by Transparent Road Barriers

A simple technical oversight is causing a steady stream of bird deaths across Tenerife, and environmentalists say the island’s administration is failing to act.

The Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) reports that transparent noise barriers installed along the island’s roads—particularly the TF-1 motorway—are acting as death traps. Because the panels are clear, birds cannot see them and frequently fly straight into the glass.

ATAN says it has repeatedly alerted the Cabildo of Tenerife, which manages these roads, but no action has been taken. This lack of response stands in stark contrast to the evidence gathered by environmental agents, who have been documenting and collecting the bodies of blackbirds, turtle doves, and canaries to track the scale of the problem.

The danger of reflective or transparent surfaces to birds is well-documented globally. While the solution is simple and affordable—such as applying vinyl stickers or patterns to the glass to make the barriers visible—the local authorities have yet to implement these changes.

The situation is now becoming a legal concern. The Environmental Prosecutor’s Office has warned that officials could face criminal liability for failing to prevent avoidable harm to wildlife, especially as national regulations now demand greater care in how human infrastructure impacts the environment.

ATAN has stated that if the Cabildo continues to ignore the issue, the association will take legal action. They are calling for a full audit of all acoustic screens on the island to ensure they are made bird-safe.

In the meantime, the organization is asking the public to help. If you find a dead bird near these road barriers, do not touch the remains. Instead, notify the Environment Department or the La Tahonilla wildlife recovery center so the incident can be officially recorded and used as evidence.