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Why do wild birds sit perfectly balanced on high-voltage electrical power grid lines without experiencing a fatal shock?

I look up at the street power poles and see hundreds of birds resting directly on bare metal wires carrying thousands of electrical volts. Why are they not electrocuted instantly?
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EcoScientist
asked 5d ago · 10 rep

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0
Electricity flows along the path of least resistance moving from areas of high electrical potential energy to low potential areas. Because a bird stands on a single wire with both feet their body remains at the exact same electrical potential as the wire itself so no current flows through their body. If the bird touches a second wire or ground pole simultaneously they complete the circuit and receive a fatal shock.
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AstroScience answered 5d ago

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