by Karen Lawson

Created on: February 15, 2009

The recent "miracle on the Hudson" highlights how quickly bird strikes can destroy an airliner's ability to fly. Although images of David and Goliath may come to mind, birds pose a serious threat to aircraft. In its June 2008 report, the USDA's Airport Wildlife Hazards Program (AWHP) determined that between 1990 and 2007, there were 82,057 wildlife strikes against aircraft. Of these, 79,973 were caused by birds. In addition to birds' ability to fly, behavioral factors and increasing bird populations contribute to avian species' ability to bring down a jet airliner.

Power in Numbers: Flocks Pose Major Hazard

Migration of flocks: The AWHP report notes that each winter, more than 500 million blackbirds (including starlings, redwinged blackbirds, cowbirds, and grackles) pass ove the US during when migrating from the norther US and Canada to the southern US. Although aircraft may survive incidental strikes involving small birds, encountering flocks of thousands is another story. Migrating birds travel in large flocks, and the species mentioned here are particularly noted for amassing in huge flocks.

Habitat and Locaton of Airports: Many bird species are attracted to the open fields and water typically surrounding commercial airports. Species attracted to thesehabitats include large wading birds such as herons and egrets, and Candada geese, which are thought to have caused flight 1549 to lose power in both engines. Birds congregating near airports in large numbers create an ongoing danger of birds strikes. The AWHP report notes that bird strikes against aircraft increased from 1738 in 1990 to 7666 in 2007.

Big Birds = Big Trouble: In addition to the threat of large flocks of small birds, aircraft are at risk of serious damage when encountering large birds. including geese, ducks and wading birds. As populations of large species increase, so does the probability of damaging bird strikes.

Adaptation to human presence: Some species of large birds are adapting to encroachment of human activity into their habitats. They're living and multiplying within and near human population centers. The resident populatoin of Canada gees in the United States increased by about 7% annually between 1980 and 2006. Populations of other large birds, including cranes, pelicans, cormorants, vultures and eagles are also increasing in urban and suburban areas. As these birds adapt to the presence of humans, they pose additional hazards to air traffic.

More Passenger Aircraft: The Federal Aviation

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