Now this is embarrassing: Monk parakeets "cause" power outage in Austin
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 14:19 
Urban parrots often encounter utility post in their environmentSome years ago I was told not to bring a knife to a gunfight when defending urban parrots. Power outages are not just a nuisance but a serious threat to people that depend on some form of live support at home. Parrot lovers cannot simply dismiss these issues, I was told.
Bury head in the sand
Monk parakeet have a knack for building nests on transformers that give of some heat. Image by Blaise AllenAll good and well but the embarrassment of these parrot caused outages like the one today in Austin, Texas really lays with the power companies. Urban parrots have been around for well over 4 decades. These problems are not new. They are not local either. Urban parrots are quickly becoming part of everyday live in cities in North America and Europe. Every year reports increase on parrot vs. power company conflicts.
Beside the parrot problems these poles are vulnerable to all kinds of environmental extremes and other wildlife conflicts besides parrots. Downed power lines have killed hundreds of people and countless wildlife and pets. This method of bringing power to the average home is a true menace.
The power companies have been blaming these problems squarely on the parrots that trigger these events. But the fact is that the environment has changed and the 19th century design utility pole just does not cut it anymore. Klinging to this design is burying one's head in the sand. Which might be the best solution for these powerlines.
Parrots are climbing birds and it is easy for them to creat a short circuit.I live in a nation that has moved their utilities into the ground. This might seem like a labour intensive and expensive option but it requires far less maintenance and damage control. Furthermore the cost to human and other live is negligible in comparisons. It certainly has proven to be economical here in the Netherlands.
I am well aware that local politics differ extensively in the USA from those of the Netherlands. But after 40 years of conflict one cannot blame the parrots for a faulty design that should have been abolished decades ago.