Why is a bird sitting on a high-voltage transmission line not electrocuted? Why does it get electrocuted when it touches another wire?

A bird sitting on a single wire is not electrocuted because both its feet are at the same potential, meaning no potential difference exists between them. Without a potential difference, current does not flow through the bird’s body.

However, when the bird touches another wire (of a different potential), a potential difference is created between the two contact points. This causes a large current to flow through the bird’s body, resulting in electrocution.

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