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This is possible because a bird only touches one line. If the bird were to touch another line or pole the electricity would travel through the bird, either to the ground or another wire. To do any work, even to harm a person or other living thing, electricity has to flow FROM something TO something. So it could flow FROM a wire TO another wire, or FROM a wire TOO the ground, or FROM a cloud THROUGH a person TO the ground. When a bird sits on a wire there is great electrical POTENTIAL, but it doesn't go anywhere so the bird is perfectly safe since the electrical potential has no path through the bird. Both above answers are correct, though, i have more to add. The electicity carries through to... usually nothing! Like the above answer, there is that potential though. If there were another wire which the bird was also touching, there would be problems and if it were to touch another bird, result is the same. Another interesting fact, I might add: If someone were to grab a power line with both hands at the EXACT same time, while feet were not on the ground and NOT, i repeat NOT touch anything else or put anthing on the power line, while already holding it, and then let go at EXACTLY the same time, without touching the ground first... That person would survive, no injuries! I might add, while most birds perch on electrical wires perfectly safely, they do present some dangers. In particular, large birds such as eagles have wingspans wide enough that they occasionally brush two parallel wires with their wingtips, which completes the electrical circuit and allows electricity to run through the bird's body, killing them. This is a serious problem in certain desert areas where the birds use the electrical poles for nesting, due to limited other options.
What else can I help you with?
Why do birds sit together on telephone lines?
For a start, most telephone wires are insulated and carry little or no electricity so, apart from falling off and hurting themselves, they won't get hurt on telephone wires. Really, you should have asked about why birds don't get hurt on overhead electrical wires. The answer is fairly simple really - to get electrocuted from those wires you need to complete the circuit, in this case touch the ground, for the electricity to surge through the body. Birds only sit on the wire and do not touch the ground, so they can't be electrocuted.
What are the names of the birds that sit on electrical wires?
crows.
How can birds safely sit on electric wires?
Birds can safely sit on electric wires because they do not provide a path for electricity to flow through their bodies. The electricity flows through the wires and does not pass through the birds unless they touch another object that is grounded.
Why dont birds tip over when they sit on telephone wires?
birds have special tendons that allow them lock around the perch. With tendons located behind their ankle and in front of their knee, they weight of their body stretches the tendons so they lock around the perch
Why don't birds get shock while they sit on electric transmission wires?
no they dont
Why don't birds get electrocuted when they sit on telephone wires?
Birds fall from the window ledge above mine, flapping their wings at the last second towards a horizontal flight. Due to a construct in my mind it makes their falling and their flight symbolic of my entire existence. If you want to electrocute birds, all you need is a bug zapper, hence the name.
How telephone wires connected?
I'll take that as "How are telephone wires connected?" but it's still unclear what you want to know. Telephone wires are connected just as any other wires are connected. By screw connections, by soldering, by crimping.
Why do Red-tailed hawks sit on telephone posts?
Many of the predatory birds have this behavior. Hawks, Falcons, and even eagles frequently roost on high places such as telephone posts, flag poles, and antenas. It allows them to conserve energy but still continue hunting. It also keeps them from being preyed upon.
Why is copper used for telephone wires?
Copper is used for telephone wires because it is the second best conductor of electricity after silver (which is a little pricey).
Why do big birds get killed by power lines but little birds don't?
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.
What do the telephone wire look like on a hot day?
what happens to telephone wires on hot days
What do squirrels balance on telephone wires like?
squirrel
