Crows and big bang

No, this is not about 'The Big Bang'

There was a big bang and the power went off ...obviously something to do with the transformer (the power distribution point..but why is it called a transformer?) at the MDU (multi-dwelling unit - as it is known in Germany - i.e. my block of flats)

I learnt that this is a frequent phenomenon during the week days and it so happened that this time it was a weekend and so it is that I came to know more about the mortality rate of crows.

It seems that crows often perch on the beams of the transformer and get electrocuted...not a cute way to die but quick nevertheless.

I wonder why crows probably one of the most intelligent birds you may come across in the city make such a mistake as to not know a live wire when they see one!

A family of crows visit my balcony and are quite clever enough to have a preference to certain types of food ... like crisps,deep fried stuff etc, and refuse to touch others like fruits bits or biscuits etc. They often come to the balcony when the balcony door is open, and caw incessantly until you respond. If you reply to their cawing with a 'ok ok I'm coming' they wait for a while.

So why do such clever birds touch a live wire...can't they discriminate between a dead and live wire? Or is it that they commit suicide ...