A row of birds lined up on a power line is a familiar sight — and it raises two natural questions: why do they choose the wires, and why on earth are they not electrocuted?
A perfect high perch
Power lines offer birds a safe, high vantage point. From up there they can rest, watch for food, keep an eye out for predators, soak up the sun, and stay close to others of their kind. In many places wires simply act like convenient artificial branches, especially where tall trees are scarce.
Why they don't get electrocuted
The key is that a bird on a single wire only touches that one wire. Electricity flows when there is a path to somewhere of different voltage — such as the ground or a second wire. A bird perched on one line has the same voltage all through its body, so there is no path for current to flow, and it feels nothing.
When it would be dangerous
A bird is only at risk if it bridges two things at different voltages at once — for example touching two separate wires, or a wire and a metal pole or transformer. This is why larger birds with big wingspans are more at risk on electrical equipment, and why they, not small perching birds, are the ones occasionally harmed.