Why dont birds get electrocuted when sitting on bare power lines?

[Special K]

Originally posted by: tidehigh
as everybody else already stated, its because they are not on the ground

You can be electrically grounded without being "on the ground".

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: LtPage1

Originally posted by: MrPickins
It's been posted here before, but this is awesome:

"Like a Bird on a Wire"

Slightly better quality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcalasGr_uk&FMT=18

Man, that's beautiful. That guy's at the Morgan Freeman level of soothing voice.

I agree. I didn't want to sound weird, but you are right in both senses. That clip deserves some award IMO.

 

[CorCentral]

Originally posted by: LtPage1

Originally posted by: MrPickins
It's been posted here before, but this is awesome:

"Like a Bird on a Wire"

Slightly better quality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcalasGr_uk&FMT=18

Man, that's beautiful. That guy's at the Morgan Freeman level of soothing voice.

It's Kenny Rogers! Seriously.

 

[Eeezee]

Special rubber bird boots

Seriously, what kind of answer were you expecting?

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: minendo
Not grounded.

God, why did it take 4 posts? And why did others talk like they know what they are talking about?

Correct. They are not grounded. Also, the lines on most telephone lines are insulated lines (I wouldn't test them though).

You should make sure you are actually correct before being such a pretentious asshole. It has absolutely nothing to do with being grounded and everything to do with potential difference. It just so happens that the Earth is nominally 0V so being 'grounded' is one possible way, but if you were to stand on a 1kV plate and touch a 10kV line, you would still get shocked with 9kV.

Telephone lines != power lines. Just because it's on a telephone pole doesn't mean it's a telephone line. Fail.

 

[wwswimming]

Originally posted by: interchange

Originally posted by: wwswimming
in San Diego a friend of mine would always let her male parakeet rest on her hand while she watched TV. he would rub his private parts against her. one day she decided to elaborate, and explained to me that Mr. Male Parakeet was actually masturbating.

Forever edified by this tidbit of information, i can't help but wonder if those birds sitting on the power line are doing more than sitting on the power line.

Masturbation would be something you do by yourself. That would be sex.

not wanting to visualize it too comprehensively, i think my friend's
arm is just something for the bird to rub against.

i think it's 80% bird masturbation, 20% bestiality.

 

[FlashG]

This thread would make Mr Wizard cry.

 

[SlitheryDee]

One of their legs is too short.

 

[CorCentral]

Who agrees with me that the guy narrating the video is Kenny Rogers?
Hither