Most Hazardous Species to an Aircraft

Aircraft collisions with birds (bird strikes) and other wildlife are a serious economic and safety problem. Each year airports and airliners shell out millions upon millions of dollars in repairs and refunds for wildlife strikes. It is estimated that at least four times a day an airplane must make an emergency landing due to a wildlife strike. However, all wildlife species are not equally hazardous to aviation. Due to the frequency of strikes recorded, size of the species, and damaged caused in a strike, airports need to address these species by either using non-lethal or lethal tactics. In implementing programs to reduce wildlife hazards, airport operators need guidance on the relative risk posed by the different species so that management actions can be prioritized by the most hazardous species. After reviewing the data collecting in the national bird strike data base, which is a great tool offered by the FAA, we have put together a list of the most hazardous species to an aircraft.

1. Whitetail Deer: Deer are responsible for approximately 67% of mammal strikes with aircraft. They have been responsible for 97% of aircraft collisions with mammals that have resulted in damage to the aircraft. Their large body size makes them extremely hazardous during an aircraft’s takeoff runs and landing rolls. A zero-tolerance policy should be adopted for deer within the AOA, and all possible steps must be taken to keep deer off the airfield.
2. Vultures: Vultures may be attracted to areas on and around an airport for several reasons. A food source may be present in the form of an animal carcass or food waste. They may also be attracted to land formations like hills that provide wind updrafts. The abundance of paved areas on an airport also creates rising columns of warmer air. These features help them to save energy by allowing them to soar easily without having to flap their wings. Airports can help to reduce the presence of turkey vultures by collecting any road-killed animals on airport grounds, as well as any other carcasses found in the AOA. Vultures may also be dispersed with various pyrotechnics while they are perched or flying at lower altitudes. Airport operators should also take steps to remove perching, loafing, and roosting areas.
3. Canada Geese: Canada geese are often considered the most potentially harmful wildlife species to an aircraft. This is caused by their large body size and tendency to form large flocks. They are also frequently attracted to airports because of large open areas of short grass and potential areas of standing water. There are many management strategies available for attempting to reduce the danger caused by the presence of Canada geese. Managing the grass at a longer length at an airport combined with active harassment is one of best ways to keep geese off an airfield.
4. Cranes: There are two North American crane species: the whooping crane and sandhill crane. Cranes are exceptionally large birds; the whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America with a height of 5 ft. These birds have long, slender legs and necks with mostly white bodies. Reducing populations of insects and small mammals can also decrease the attractiveness of an airfields turf. Harassing cranes off an airport is also recommended to reduce the danger to aircraft.
5. Raptors: The large body size of raptors creates the potential for severe damage to aircraft during a bird strike. Raptors are often attracted to airports by foraging opportunities in the vegetated areas of the airfield. Airport structures also provide convenient perches for these birds to use for hunting. Habitat around the airport may also attract these raptors as foraging/nesting sites. Exclusionary devices like bird spikes can be applied to airport structures to help discourage raptor perching. Removing nesting sites and/or nests is often used to reduce raptor presence at an airport. Reducing potential prey at an airport may also help reduce the attractiveness of these sites.

Other notable species to make the list include Gulls, Rock Doves or pigeon, Pelicans or Cormorants, ducks, herons, and of course Bald Eagles! If you are having issues with any of these species and would like to speak with an FAA Certified Wildlife Biologist please fill out the fields below and someone from Loomacres will reach out o you.

---