"First off, birds really like sitting on elevated lines, whether those are power lines, telecommunication wires or cable lines. The high wires provide an excellent vantage point for surveying the area, giving them a bird's eye view of the territory. From there, they can look around for food and watch out for predators. The lines are also a convenient spot for taking a rest and as there are other birds on the line, a chance to converse."
"They come and go as they please, but it's not likely they would all fly off at once unless something really frightened the entire flock. It might look like the birds sit there all day and night, but it's a revolving cast. Such gatherings also provide some communal support and protection from predators, and in the winter, the combined flocks can offer a little extra warmth."
"Considering how much power is surging through the lines, we have to wonder how the birds can casually perch on them and avoid electrocution. The answer? Science. Just like water, and nature itself, electricity seeks a balance. It flows from high energy points to low energy points. A bird sitting on the wire doesn't interrupt or redirect the flow, but if it was"
At the southbound Thornton Avenue exit to Interstate 880 in Newark many birds consistently perch on power lines that span the freeway, appearing only on the southbound side. Birds favor elevated lines because they offer an excellent vantage point for surveying territory, locating food, and watching for predators. The lines provide convenient resting spots and opportunities to socialize. Flocks rotate members rather than leaving en masse, providing communal protection and winter warmth. Electricity flows from high to low energy points, and a bird perched on a single wire does not interrupt or redirect the current, preventing electrocution.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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