How come seagulls, as well as other birds, are not electrocuted from hydro/power lines?

zbeckabee

There are actually two lines in a power line: The high voltage line and the "ground" line. Electricity jumps from the power line to the "ground" line or directly to the ground when there is a path for it to do so. For example, when a kite lands on the high voltage line, a path to ground is made along the kite's string. This is why it is dangerous to fly kites near power lines. However, when a bird lands on a power line, even if it is the high voltage line, it does not provide a path between the power line to ground. Therefore, the bird is not bothered by the high voltage. http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99134.htm Oct 21 07, 7:52 PM