Why do birds sit on telephone and electrical wires?
968693
They are social creatures and likely to hang out where everyone else does - like people!  They tend to gather in flocks too.  If it's near intersections my guess would be that's because it's between two clear fly zones, where there are not tall trees or buildings to get in their way as they fly.  They like to stay relatively close to the ground for warmth, water, food, action...and wires are everywhere so they are used to hanging out there.  \n\nAnother thought...People are not going to bother them or threaten them if they are sitting on electrical or telephone wires - those birds who sat there learned that, and the birds who chose the buildings and windowsills didn't fare as well.  The survivors spread the wisdom to their offspring (a Darwinian explanation, but makes sense even if you're not a Darwinian).
456231
Because they are not grounded (i.e. they are making contact with nothing but the line) the electicity doesn't flow through their bodies. \nI lived on a farm as a kid and when we were wearing rubber boots we could touch the electric fence without getting zapped for the same reason: the rubbed didn't conduct so we weren't grounded.
588446
Yes they are called birds.
442824
I think it depends on the type of bird you are talking about and also if the birds are wild or domestic or for that matter used to having humans around.\nLarge birds generally dont scare so easily, especially if they are used to humans. Like parrots for example.\nSome many times I have come across pigeons just crossing the road leisurely even though I'm driving towards it. And some of them dont even fly until I honk at them.\nThe tiny birds generally scare more easily. But when I traveled to London the sparrows actually fed from the palm of my hand. Whereas I have 2 finches at home and although they think they are humans, they just dont let me touch them! LOL! I love them alot!
148293
If they're acting weird in your locale, better check the weather reports.  Animals are highly sensitive to climatic changes, and electro-magnetic disturbances.
373398
The high current wires carry only one of the two poles (positive and negative) of current. The other pole travels through the earth. Therefore, birds and also humans will not get a shock as long as they touch only one wire. Birds are very small and there is little risk that they touch anything else. Humans, at the contrary, easily can touch the wire and the metal mast carrying the wires, in which case the second pole of the current, travelling through the ground, reaches the body together with the one travelling through the wire and originates the shock.
793047
Generally for security reasons.  In flights, it will be effected their signal/communication systems while the passenger talking on mobile.
533141
Because they use a lightning rod to conduct the current directly to the ground.
25186
Those annoying birds are probably American Coots.\n\nIn southern California the golf courses have a history of hiring a hunter to remove the birds when they become a problem.
179025
Some birds will fly away from their nests as a way to distract a threat. Or they will fly at a predator in an attempt to annoy them. If they're large enough or persistent enough, they may also use their beak or feet/talons to cause injury.
1081652
Aerodynamics.  The front bird is punching a hole in the air in front of it, and the birds behind it are "drafting" it, or utilizing that hole in the air so that there is less drag on themselves.  The birds take turns being in front so that no bird ever gets too tired.
63919
Because of the way their legs are built.\nThe tendons in bird's legs are arranged as a pulley-rope system so that the weight of the animal pulls on these tendons and keeps their fingers closed at rest. Thus they do not require voluntary muscle action to maintain their grasp on branches.\nThis is specially characteristic of songbirds. Others may rely on nests, platforms or other types of dwellings
580440
Birds. Just to fly they'd need more brain power.
576717
for a flow in electricity to occur, there has to be a change in voltage.  the bird is touching only one line a very short distance apart.  as there is no difference in voltage between the two points, there can be no traveling of current through the bird.  \n\nalso, the wire offers less resistance to travel than does the bird.  if the roles were reversed, the bird would carry the current.  \n\nand lastly, the wire is insulated.  it's not just bare metal.  this protects the birds and squirrels from the fatal charge.
213392
still in the trees. deadwood, holes in branches etc. natural hidy holes. thats why itr is important to keep old forrests around - so the trees have little places like that for the birds
190479
Tough answer, I guess we get used to them being around and providing the emotional, physcial support, etc... they provide.  It's probably mother nature's way off keep us together and insuring the continuance of the species.
755713
No, you don't tend to wonder these things when you know why.\n  \nIt's to do with the air currents.  By flying in a V formation the birds behind save up to 30% of energy.  When the leading bird gets tired he drops out and goes to the end of the formation and one of the birds next in sequence takes his place, so they still maintain the V formation.  This process continues until all the birds come to rest.\nIf a bird gets injured and needs to land to earth, two other birds will also break away and stay with the injured bird until he gets well or until he dies, before resuming their flight.