A bird's heart beats much faster than our heart does. Birds breath using a unique system in which air follows a one-way route through the respiratory system. This system is unlike our lungs, in which the air backtracks where it came from. Our lungs alternately fill and empty out. This system increases birds' respiratory efficiency and gives them enough oxygen for flight.
Birds can often safely perch on a power line without being electrocuted.
When perching on a single power line, there is no potential difference between the bird's feet, so it is safe. This is why it is VERY unsafe to fly a kite near power lines. If the kite gets tangles in the power lines, the kite string acts as a ground, and you can be electrocuted. As stated in our privacy policy , we fully respect your privacy and will not use your e-mail address for any purpose other than the newsletter subscription. Search the Web with GoTo ZOOM is a registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation.