# Why do birds congregate on power lines?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-congregate-on-power-lines/124097
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 15, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-congregate-on-power-lines/124097 "2002-08-15T21:51:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@cindytampa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cindytampa)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-congregate-on-power-lines/124097/1 "2002-08-15T21:51:19Z")
I often see birds sitting together on power lines, especially near the pole where they connect. Why is this? Just a social thing? Thanks for your ideas.
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### Author:  [@UNIMATRIXONE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UNIMATRIXONE)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2002, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-congregate-on-power-lines/124097/2 "2002-08-15T22:48:54Z")
In South Jersey this happens more often during the winter months when it is bitterly cold. I dont know why this happens just dont park you car underneath them.
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2002, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-congregate-on-power-lines/124097/3 "2002-08-15T23:10:39Z")
Because they get a [charge](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbirdwire.html) out of it.
😃
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### Author:  [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2002, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-congregate-on-power-lines/124097/4 "2002-08-16T01:46:48Z")
They have to rest sometime and somewhere. You often see them sitting on tree branches, too, if you look. They get a bird’s-eyeview from a wire, branch, rooftop, etc. from where they can spot food, usually from those sloppy animals called homo sapiens. Insect eaters, such as shrikes, will also sit somewhere awaiting any morsel that happens by.