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by wickedwillie on April 19th, 2005

wickedwillie

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How can birds sit on electrical wires without getting a shock?

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  • by Scottythinks on May 12th, 2005

    Scottythinks

    In order to receive a shock from an electrical source a circuit must be completed (+/-), and this happens when a positive flowing electrical wire meets something grounded. Since a bird flies up to a wire it is not grounded and therefore is not shocked. An electrical circuit can be made by connecting 2 wires with an electrical current. There are large birds with wide enough wingspans that touch or come too close to two separate electrical wires and have been electrocuted or injured badly enough to make their natural survival impossible. Large birds, such as birds of prey, often meet their demise in this fashion and some you'll see at your local zoo or wildlife rehabilitation facility.

    Comments

    • I'm shocked...

      jwmbiz

      by jwmbiz on July 14th, 2005

    • would've preffered a reference

      Answers101

      by Answers101 on March 17th, 2006

    • wouldn't there be enough electrical resistance in the bird already to overcome the current?

      Kilian97

      by Kilian97 on March 3rd, 2010

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