why is it birds don't get electrocuted sitting on high voltage lines?

Every once in a while when I'm playing my country music CD's this cardinal will set on the line to my house and just chirp up a storm. So,does this cardinal love my music, the tickle or both. I love seeing her.

They are not touching the ground. Now if they are touching the ground they would. Now if you would try touching a hot wire while you are in the air like jump off the ground you would not get shocked( I tried this ) now when I touch the ground with my feet I would get zapped.

The electricity wants to travel to the ground but its not touching it cuz its on the poles the birds are not touching the ground if they were the electricity would travel through them to the ground which would be really painful

There not touching the ground when their not touching the ground the electricity just harmlessly passes through them and back into the wire if they were touching the ground however the electricity would discharge into the ground electrocuting the bird

They aren't grounded

Papaw

They aren't completing a circuit, sorta like touching only one terminal of your car battery.

Ach.. I knew the answer to this a year ago, when I took Physics, but I've since forgot :/

They are not grounded.

Their legs have an insulating coating/skin. I guess.