By Caleb Clarkson

Around this time of year, when high Texas temperatures finally break into pleasant breezes of somewhat autumnal air, large, ominous flocks of black birds descend on the parking lots of my local H-E-B in Waco, Texas. They line up along the power lines, almost perfectly equidistant from one another, and closely survey their newly claimed spot. They keep an eye out for any scraps of tortilla, kolache, or other foodstuffs that they might eat. Even as the wind blew the lines about, they could balance and maneuver like seasoned tightrope walkers.

It may seem like an impossible feat, but there are many reasons why birds are well-equipped to balance on powerlines. As well, there are some attributes of powerlines that are particularly attractive to birds.

The first evolutionary

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