why don't birds flip upside down when they land on a telephone line?

Answer 1

Perching birds have specially evolved feet and toes that lock around branches or wires Not only do the toes wrap around the branch or wire, but the pointy part of the nail sticks into the bottom of the branch. This not only keeps them from flipping upside down, it allows them to be very stable, and even rest and sleep in this position. Most songbirds and many other types of birds sleep while perched!

This "locking" is actually automatic--birds have a tendon connected to the rear toe so that when the bird kneels, the toes automatically lock around the branch. The feet release as the bird stands up.

An interesting fact--not all birds are capable of hanging upside down. Some bird feeders take advantage of this. Chickadees, titmice, goldfinches, and nuthatches are small birds that can all easily hang upside down and still perform agile tasks like picking seeds out of a plant or insects out of tree bark. House sparrows, a common pest bird in cities and around houses, can't do this. Thus, a feeder that has perches above the holes instead of below them will allow chickadees to eat from the feeder, without allowing house sparrows access.

Answer 2

Balance and a firm grip. Galahs do flip upside down on telephone lines and seem to be having fun doing so. They play on the lines alongside my backyrd all the time. I can't find a photo of them doing it but I am sure there will be one or two if you look.
Galahs
http://photogallery.canberrabirds.org.au/images/Galah_Cook.jpg

Answer 3

They have a firm grip on the cable add to their natural ability to balance upright. Also the cable may not be as thin as it appears.

Answer 4

It's called balancing.

Answer 5

probably because their claws can hold on to the line firmly

Answer 6

its just like us standing up.. they have their centre of gravity above the line so they're perfectly balanced... they're used to it with trees and that