A burnt wedge-tailed eagle has been found, believed electrocuted, directly under powerlines in Tasmania's north-east.
An eagle sanctuary operator said it was the third found in three weeks, with two grey goshawks also found in February.
Craig Webb from Raptor Refuge said all five birds have been killed by flying into powerlines.
"It's just unbelievable," he said.
"It's an ongoing issue … we're getting calls all the time … and these recent ones are just the ones we know about."
The latest bird was found by a member of the public on Friday with a burn mark across the back of its body, indicating a mid-line collision with a powerline.
"Fifty per cent of the time the bird is killed instantly, and 50 per cent of the time it's seriously injured," he said.
Investigation into recent deaths
A spokesperson for TasNetworks said in a statement it was aware of the recent deaths and would be investigating.
"Overground networks will always involve some risk but we take the recent spike seriously and will investigate," the spokesperson said.
"We've doubled our bird protection investment in recent years, and managed to halve the number of incidents."
BirdLife Tasmania convenor Eric Woehler said any death was "extremely disappointing" and the incidents would have a significant impact on two already endangered species.
"The loss of five birds in a very short period of time through electrocution is of great concern," he said.
"It underlines the need for protection of these endangered species."
Call for more 'flappers'
TasNetworks has been using what are known as flappers — small reflective disks which hang from powerlines — in known hot-spots to alert birds to the lines.
Mr Webb said all five birds were found in locations where collisions were not common.
"There were no flappers on the lines where these were found," he said.
"I would like to see flappers added to prevent further birds dying."
When a dead bird is found by or reported to Raptor Refuge, the location is logged with TasNetworks.
TasNetworks said it usually responded within seven days and installed mitigation devices, such as flappers, perches and conductor covers.
Emotional toll for rescuers
Mr Webb said seeing so many dead birds was taking an emotional toll on rescuers.
"It can be quite overwhelming," he said.
"We are continually dealing with dead birds. It's emotionally horrific ...
"There's nothing but [negativity] or sadness about the whole scenario and. quite frankly. it's all coming down to showing the powerlines so the birds can see [them], and that's the simple case of mitigating or flappers, and putting perches on."
According to the latest statistics from the Tasmanian government, the total adult population of wedge-tailed eagles in the state is estimated as less than 1,000 birds.
The main threats to their survival include removal of nesting trees and environments, collisions with tall structures and/or vehicles, and electrocution.
According to TasNetworks' last annual report, the number of "threatened bird incidents" had dropped by to 15 in 2020-21, three fewer than in 2019-20.
It was much lower than 2018-19 (24), and 2017-18 (33), the report said.
The report also stated $4 million was being invested over the next five years to install more than 260 kilometres of "mitigation devices" in high-risk areas, to help prevent collisions and electrocutions.
Mr Webb wants all new powerlines to have mandatory flappers.
"I don't, for one [moment], think that we can get out there and mitigate all lines in Tasmania, all at once, but we can certainly do more than what we're doing now," he said.
"Everything above ground should be flapped and have a perch on at least every second pole … and it's cheap, especially to do it when you're constructing these lines rather than fitting later."
