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It isn't insulation that keeps those pigeons safely perched on high-voltage wires. It's the nature of electricity at work. Electricity is always trying to reach the ground, and if an electrical conductor (like a wire or cable) provides a path, electricity will follow it. Birds aren't grounded -- no part of them touches the ground -- so they don't act as conductors. But imagine a young pigeon with very, very long legs. If it sat with one foot on a power line and touched the ground with the other, it would experience a shock, and you'd most likely end up with roasted squab. Be warned -- you don't have to be standing on the ground to get a serious shock from power lines. If you stand on a ladder or roof and touch a high-voltage
wire, you'll get a serious, maybe even fatal, blow. Electrical workers who work on power lines are protected by insulated clothing and gloves, and use insulated tools to prevent shock. As Newscientist.com notes, birds on power lines can pose serious problems, but robots that crawl along power lines may provide a solution.
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