2006-11-20 23:37:20 · 24 answers · asked by joe l 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Because they are only standing on a single cable. In order to be electrocuted, they'd need to complete a circuit to earth.
In the same way, standing on the live rail on a train track will not electrocute you, until such a time as you touch something else at the same time.
PS although you'd be safe, I don't recommend trying it!
2006-11-20 23:39:32 · answer #1 · answered by winballpizard 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it is because they are not completing a lower-resistance circuit. Remember that electricity always follows the path of least resistance. So, when on an electric wire, some very, very small amount of current may pass through the bird -- just no where near enough to do anything, as the bird has more resistivitiy than the wire. If a bird were actually super-conductive, it would fry itself landing on the wire (assuming that a closed circuit already exists) as all the electricity would go through the bird.
2006-11-21 00:06:45 · answer #2 · answered by David A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because they are only touching the one wire. If they happened to touch a second wire they create a "short cut" for the electricity (the bird being the short cut) they then get electrocuted (electricity tries to find the shortes route). This is pretty basically put, but hopefully you get the idea!
2006-11-20 23:46:11 · answer #3 · answered by mudgettiger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they're not grounded. This is similar to the way that you are safe from electrocution if a high current wire falls on the roof of your car as long as you remain in the car.
2006-11-21 04:49:27 · answer #4 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the charge to pass through the bird the bird must be touching the ground at the same time as touching the wire.
2006-11-20 23:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by Richard H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some power cables are insulated and even if they werent they would have to be touching the ground or another wire to complete the circuit. Electricity flows from its highest potential to its lowest potenential, if there isnt a lower potential ie Earth the current cannot flow
2006-11-20 23:51:26 · answer #6 · answered by maka 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not electicuted as the whole of their body it touching 1 wire. If a bird when flying caught its feet on one wire and its wing on another, then it will be a different story....'I am Frying tonight!'
2006-11-20 23:41:12 · answer #7 · answered by Joolz of Salopia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to be electrocuted you must be in contact with the ground bird are not also the cables are insulated the have to be otherwise it would be chaos when it rained
2006-11-20 23:49:08 · answer #8 · answered by mat353 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in order for the electricity to be conducted - the circuit has to be grounded ( - ).
in this case both legs are in contact with the wire and there is no ground current.
if one leg was on the sire and the other made contact / ground then it would be electricuted.
2006-11-20 23:48:34 · answer #9 · answered by Basil P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cos there legs ain't long enough to touch the ground and create a circuit
2006-11-20 23:46:59 · answer #10 · answered by Andrew B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋