Usually they don't.
Birds perching on power lines do not get electrocuted because they are not completing a circuit by touching another conductor. The power lines are insulated and the birds' legs are not close enough together to create a path for electricity to flow through their bodies.
Birds do not get electrocuted when sitting on power lines because they are not completing a circuit for electricity to flow through. The electricity in power lines travels in a closed loop, and birds are not grounded so there is no path for the electricity to flow through them. Additionally, most power lines are insulated to prevent electricity from leaking out.
Humans get electrocuted on power lines because the high voltage electricity flowing through the lines can pass through their bodies, causing serious injury or death.
Yes, a bird can get electrocuted if it comes in contact with two bare power lines. The power lines are spaced apart so only the largest birds (buzzards, eagles, etc.) would be able to touch two at the same time.
The high voltage is between one wire and the other. From one point on the wire to another point on the same wire, the voltage is quite insignificant. As long as the birds don't touch both wires, nothing much will happen. The wire does not have a difference in voltage from foot to foot. The term "high voltage" refers from wire to ground. Electricity flows down a voltage gradient. There is no gradient of voltage between the feet.
OtaGamer Says: The reason that birds don't get hurt on power lines is because they put both of their feet on the wire at the exact same time. Therefore, the electricity passes through one leg and up out of the other. If they lifted up one of their legs, they would be electrocuted and die.
The wingspan on a big bird is large enough to touch two wires at once. Any difference in voltage between the wires will cause current to flow through the bird, perhaps killing it. Small birds can only touch one wire at a time.
Actually if we were to sit on a power line and not touch anything else like the birds do we would not get electrocuted.The current a flow of electrons,flows along a path of least resistance the electrons want to get to where they are going in the easiest possible way. Electricity flows from one voltage to another value of voltage. For the birds, the power lines have the same voltage -- so the birds are safe. Don't approach power lines, because humans come from the ground, which is a sink for the current.
Linemen ensure they do not get electrocuted while working on power lines by wearing specialized insulated gloves, using insulated tools, maintaining a safe distance from live wires, and following strict safety protocols and procedures.
That is to warn birds so that large flock of birds do not fly into the power lines. Also helicopters.
The answer is yes they can touch one another when there on power lines
you have to be incontact with the ground to get electrocuted!