#power-lines

#power-lines

As scores of students swarmed out of their Milpitas elementary school on a recent afternoon, a lone bald eagle perched high above them in a redwood tree - only occasionally looking down on the after-school ruckus, training his eyes on the grassy hills along the western horizon. The week before, his mate was electrocuted on nearby power lines operated by PG&E.

First off, birds really like sitting on elevated lines, whether those are power lines, telecommunication wires or cable lines. The high wires provide an excellent vantage point for surveying the area, giving them a bird's eye view of the territory. From there, they can look around for food and watch out for predators. The lines are also a convenient spot for taking a rest and as there are other birds on the line, a chance to converse.