Question

Birds do not feel electric shock while sitting on current carrying uninsulated wires because ............. .

• A. The feathers of birds act as insulator and hence the current does not pass through them
• B. The resistance offered by the body of birds is very high
• C. The current does not pass through the body as the claws of birds are non-conducting
• D. The potential difference between the two claws of the birds is very small

Answer 1

The correct option is D The potential difference between the two claws of the birds is very small

Answer is D.

A bird perched on high-tension wires has both its feet placed firmly on the same wire, so the net potential difference from one end of the bird to the other is, for all purposes, next to nil.
In order for current to flow through the bird, there must be a sizeable difference in voltage across the body. While the potential difference between the wire and Earth may be thousands of volts, the potential difference between the birds two feet is extremely tiny and so a very small current flows through the bird which can barely be registered.
Hence, birds do not feel electric shock while sitting on current carrying un-insulated wires because the potential difference between the two claws of the birds is very small.