Why do birds perch on power lines?

Most of the birds you see perched on wires are passerines. They are built for perching, with one toe at the back of their foot and three in the front, allowing them to tightly grip a perch. Photo: TNS/Dreamstime

Dear Joan – We regularly notice a line of birds perched on the same wire no matter when we drive by. There is a set of two wires, and they’re always on the same one.

This is on Highway 85, in the San Jose, California, area. We notice it going southbound, right before you get to the Winchester Boulevard exit and south of Saratoga Avenue.