Bird on a wire

A pigeon’s-eye view on electrifying everything.

When it comes to switching our homes to high-efficiency electric appliances, it helps to have a bird’s-eye view of all of the benefits. So who better to tell us that than a key expert — Percy the pigeon — brought to life by the amazing science writer, naturalist, and artist, Rosemary Mosco. Check out her comic: Bird on a wire, to get the full scoop on going electric at home. (P.S. Percy promises to go easy on your electric vehicle’s windshield!)

An illustrated pigeon perched on a wire with a city skyline behind them. The Rewiring America lightning bolt has a caption beside it that says, “Going electric is a key climate solution. Just ask this expert.” The pigeon says, “As a pigeon, I’ve spent many hours standing on wires. Here’s what I know about going electric. And also about cooing, if you’re interested.”
An illustrated pigeon stands next to a pie chart, pointing at the chart with one foot. The pigeon says, “Going electric means powering the machines in our daily lives with electricity from renewable energy — not fossil fuels. About 40% of US carbon emissions come from cars and homes, so going electric can make a huge impact on climate change. Pie charts make me hungry for pie.”
Labeled illustrations of a heat pump, an induction cooktop with a pot on one burner, a red electric vehicle plugged into a charger, and a machine patting a pigeon. Speech bubbles from the pigeon say, “To go electric, replace fossil-fuel-burning machines with electric ones like: heat pump, induction cooktop, electric vehicle, electric pigeon patting device (not invented yet). And you can add devices like solar panels!”
An illustrated pigeon cuddles a heat pump, with hearts floating above their head. The pigeon says, “Going electric is safer and healthier for us and our communities. Even if you electricity still comes from fossil fuels, electric machines are more efficient, resulting in fewer emissions. Plus — less indoor air pollution from burning fuel, and no explosive gas in your home, either.”
An illustrated pigeon perched on a wire with a city skyline behind them. The pigeon says, “Of course, you and I aren’t solely responsible for fixing climate change.* We need large-scale policy changes. But we will need to get our homes and cars on electricity, and that’s something power we can do right now. *Especially not me, because I’m a pigeon.”
The pigeon and the Rewiring America logo speak to each other in speech bubbles. Pigeon: “So that’s what I know about going electric!” Rewiring America: “Thank you, pigeon!” Pigeon: “And now for some facts about cooing. The best time to coo is at 6 a.m. outside a human’s window.” Rewiring America: “Okay, great.” Pigeon: “Remember to puff yourself up really big when you coo.” Rewiring America: “Got it.”

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