Birds sitting on high-voltage wires are not harmed because they do not complete a circuit, preventing electricity from flowing through them.
Many people have seen birds sitting comfortably on high voltage power lines and wondered how they can do this without getting shocked.
It seems risky, but there are scientific reasons behind this phenomenon.
Understanding electricity and how it works can help explain why birds are safe when perched on these wires.
How does electricity work?
To grasp why birds are unharmed, it is essential to understand how electricity travels.
Electricity flows through conductors, which are materials that allow electric current to pass.
In power lines, the electricity travels along the wire.
However, for electricity to flow through a body, it needs to create a complete circuit.
This means that the current must enter and exit the body.
How do birds perch safely on high voltage wires without getting electrocuted?
When a bird lands on a power line, it typically only touches one wire with its feet.
Since both feet are on the same wire, there is no difference in electrical potential between them.
As a result, no electric current can flow through the bird’s body. Without a complete circuit, the bird remains safe and unharmed.
To illustrate this, think of a simple circuit with a battery and a light bulb.
If the circuit is complete, the light bulb lights up. However, if there is a break in the circuit, the light bulb will not light.
In the case of birds on power lines, they do not create a complete circuit, so they do not feel any electric shock.
The larger birds are a different story
While small birds can perch safely on power lines, larger ones face different risks.
Birds such as hawks, eagles, and owls have larger wingspans.
If they spread their wings and touch two different wires at the same time, they can create a circuit.
This can lead to a dangerous situation where the bird can be electrocuted.
The risk of electrocution for larger ones comes from the distance between power lines.
High voltage lines are designed to be spaced far enough apart to prevent accidental contact.
If a bird’s wings touch two wires, it can complete the circuit and receive a fatal shock.
Engineers design power lines with safety in mind.
To minimize the risk to wildlife, utility companies often take steps to protect birds from electrocution.
This includes using insulated wires in certain areas and designing power poles in a way that makes it harder for birds to make contact with multiple wires.
Some regions have implemented bird-friendly designs, such as using perch guards.
These are devices installed on power poles that prevent birds from landing in dangerous spots.
By making power lines safer for birds, we can help protect wildlife while maintaining the electricity supply.