Power poles around Central Otago are being modified as part of an effort to protect the New Zealand falcon.

The Department of Conservation and energy company Delta will put insulation on the poles, to make it more difficult for the birds to electrocute themselves.

It happens when a falcon touches live wires and earthed equipment at the same time.

DoC's Chris Hankin said falcons often stalk their prey from stationary objects like trees, and sometimes mistake power lines for trees.

"When it sees something it jumps up, flies towards it and unfortunately, on occasion it makes contact with the live wires and equipment there and becomes electrocuted ."

Hankin said it doesn't take much to make the poles less dangerous for the birds.

"Insulate the live wires from the transformers and other over head equipment that are most likely to be getting the birds."