Requirement for wildlife Hazard Management

and identification of bird activity

Birds are a natural and welcome part of the world
we live in, except an airport. At Airports birds are
a clear and present danger.

Today the problem is compounded by a variety of

factors including increased air traffic, the inability
of birds to get-out of the way of fast moving jet
powered aircraft.
 Module Objectives

After successful completion of this module participants will be able to:

 Identify the problem birds with different phases of flight.

 Identify areas prone to bird activity
 Identify areas having sources /causes of bird activity
 Recognize food habits and habitat of birds.
 Use methods of dispersing and scaring off birds.
Requirement of Wildlife Hazard Management
• A diversity of wildlife species , including birds, mammals, and reptiles , are
available on or around aerodromes of the world over.
• Certain species of wildlife pose a risk to aviation safety.
Some Wildlife incidents
• First collision between an aircraft and bird was reported
on 07th September, 1908.
• On 03rd April, 1912 at Long Beach, California, the first
man to fly an aeroplane across the United States became
the first person to die as the result of bird strike.
• Development of aircraft progressed – robustly
constructed and more resistant to bird strike damage.
• Nevertheless serious bird strikes did occur to such aircraft
usually involving cockpit, windshield and surrounding
structures.
• On 04th October, 1960, a Lockheed Electra L188, struck a
flock of starlings just after airborne. Birds ingested into 3
of aircraft’s 4 engines, causing the aircraft to loose power,
stall and crash into the harbour. Of the 72 passengers
and crew, 62 died.
• On 23rd November, 1962, a Vickers Viscount, struck a
flock of whistling swans over the states of Maryland while
flying at 6000 ft. One of horizontal stabilizers was
penetrated by swan, weakening the structure and causing
it to separate from the aircraft which subsequently
crashed and killed all on board.
Impact of Bird Hit
Some Wildlife incidents
• On 15th January 2009 an
A320 of US Airways
flight-1549 after take off
from New york city
Airport at- 2800’ stuck a
large flock of Geese,
birds ingested in both
engines and lost the
power.
• Aircraft successfully
ditched in the Hudson
river. All on board 157
survived.
Some Wildlife incidents
• On 15th August 2019 a Russian passenger aircraft hit a flock of Gulls
on take off. Both engines shut down then landed in a corn field.
• The Ural airlines A321 with 246 passengers and crew on board made
emergency landing, all survived the crash landing. A miraculous
escape.
 Procedure for inspection of areas prone to bird activity
at airport
Frequency of inspection
 Runways

Minimum four inspection daily

a) Dawn inspection
b) Morning inspection
c) Afternoon inspection
d) Dusk inspection
 Taxiways: Daily for those in normal regular use.
 Apron: Daily.
 Grass areas: As frequently as the adjacent paved area.
Additional inspection on requirement through ATC or otherwise.
 Procedure for inspection of areas prone to
bird activity at airport
Inspection procedures

 The higher the speed, less the effectiveness.

 To carry RT set for ATC (121.9MHz) and for Apron (146.2MHz).
 One staff for any required assistance.
 Fire cracker and a box of matchbox.
 Other devices like six shot launchers.
 Laser torch / spot light.
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Classification on the basis of characteristics

S. No. Bird Type Share in bird hits (%) Percentage bird hit
1. Soaring 67 Ground birds; Soaring
7.8; 8%
2. Non soaring 24 Bat; 1.1; 1% Non Soaring
Ground birds
Bat
3. Ground 8 Non Soar- Soaring;
ing; 24.4; 66.7; 67%
4. Bats 1 24%
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Soaring birds
S. No. Soaring birds Weight in gram Bird hit percentage
1. Kites 680-750 Harriers; 1.4; 1%
Brhminy kite; 5.5; 6%
2. Vultures 2000-5000
3. Brahminy Kite 600
4. Harriers 250-400
Vul- Kites;
tures; 54.8;
38.3; 55%
38%
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Flight pattern of soaring birds

 Ridethermal bubbles generated by sun heated ground to gain height.

 Generally fly below 4000 ft.
 May go high depending on thermal formation.
 Open grounds like of an aerodrome generate thermal which attract these birds.
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Migratory birds

 Fly in large groups and cover vast destination.

 Generally migrate due to unfavorable weather
conditions.
 Looking for feeding or breeding ground.
 Visit aerodromes as stopover site for food and
shelter.
 Hit aircraft being unfamiliar of the environment.
 European Roller, European Nightjar, harriers
and gulls etc are found affecting aviation.
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Non soaring birds

S.No. Non Soaring Bird Weight in gram
1 Pegion 250-300 Bird hit percentage
2 Doves 80-130 Parakeets; 4 Sandgrouse; 4
3 Hovering Birds 125-270 Rollers; 4.5
4 Mynas 60-110 Egrets; 4.5
5 Owls 120-1100 Pegion;
30.5
6 Crows 300-500 Crows; 5.5
7 Egrets 400-450
Owls; 7
8 Rollers 170
9 Parakeets 120
10 Sandgrouse 250
Mynas; 8.5

Hovering
Doves; 22
Birds; 9.5
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Flight pattern of non-soaring birds

 Do not depend on thermal formation.

 Do powered flight by flapping wings.
 Fly below 100 feet
 Nocturnal birds fly even lower as depend on sound for hunting.
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Ground birds

S.No. Ground bird Weight in grams

Bird hit percentage
1. Lapwing 110-190
2. Stone Curlew 380
Lapwings;
3. Partridges 300-400 Partridges; 8.8; 9% 64.7; 65%
Lapwings
Stone Curlew
Stone Partridges
Curlew;
26.5; 27%
 Problem birds at Indian Airports

Flight pattern of ground birds

 Prefer to stay on ground unless disturbed.

 Rely on their legs to escape from enemies.
 Use strong and speedy flight as last resort.
 Birds in flight path

Birds flying or soaring over

aerodrome or approach path
at 100-4000 ft or above

These birds are hazardous to

aircraft at climb, cruise,
descent and approach
phases.
 Birds in flight path

Birds flying / sailing low/

hovering/ skimming over
active runway and shoulders
at 2-200 feet or above.

These birds are hazardous to

aircraft, nearly 80% of all
birds strikes take place during
initial climb, final approach,
landing roll and take off run
phases.
 Birds in flight path

Birds perching, walking on

runway, taxiway and
shoulders.

These birds are hazardous

during landing, take off and
taxying and they can also be
sucked causing damage to
engine.
 Birds in flight path

Birds squatting on runway to

rest.

These birds are hazardous

during landing, take off and
taxying and they can also be
sucked causing damage to
engine.
 Birds in flight path

Birds feeding on live or dead

insects or animals using runway
as dining table.

These birds are hazardous during

landing, take off and taxying and
they can also be sucked causing
damage to engine.
 Birds in flight path

Birds perched on runway lights,

flood lit towers, electric poles and
other perches to survey the area
and hunt for prey.

These birds are hazardous to the

aircraft at approach, landing roll,
take off run and climb phases of
flight depending upon the height
they utilize.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Introduction

 Birds resident, migratory or passing through the aerodrome.

 Infield and surrounding area factors affect the aerodrome.
 Need to study and mitigate the attraction points of birds in aerodrome.
 Main attraction points can be food, resting, roosting and nesting facilities.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Major attractions

1. Food and sources of food

 The greatest attraction to any bird or animal.
 The bird or animal will take risk on life also if it is available in abundance.

2. Water to drink and to bath

3. Shelter (Resting, roosting and safety areas)
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Main sources of food- Plant

1. The grass on the shoulders of runway and other areas offer grains
and green shoots to birds such as pigeons and doves.

2. Herbs, shrubs and trees near and away from runway provide fleshy
fruits and seeds to parakeets, mynas, crows, fruit bats.

3. Vegetable matter from kitchen or canteen waste dumped in open

garbage bins, huts or dumps.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Main sources of food- Live animals / insects

1. Insect swarms of termites and ants occurring at the onset of
monsoon.
2. Termite are rich in proteins as diet and a great delicacy to birds
and animals such as from, lizard and insectivorous bats.
3. Insects gathering below flood lights and other powerful lights in
aerodromes area attract several species of insects everyday.
4. Runway and taxiway lights also attract no. of insects which
ultimately result in attraction for birds.
5. Aquatic insects and other animals including frogs, fish, turtles,
crab, snails and earth worms in depression or low lying areas.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Main sources of food- dead animals / insects

1. Dead insects collected around runway lights especially at the

onset of monsoon.
2. Insects and other animals (snake, frog etc.) get killed by aircraft
and other vehicles.
3. Carcass of dead animals especially large mammals dumped
inside or in vicinity of aerodrome.
4. Open meat, fish and poultry markets, bone mills and carcass
processing centers also attract birds.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Water an attraction for drinking and bathing.

1. Perennial lakes and pounds, rain fed ponds, puddles and pools,
water collected on tarmac and drainage canals provides water to drink.
2. Agriculture area or standing crops and water formation just
outside aerodromes.
3. Irresistible attraction for bathing to beat the sun heat. Parriah
kite, brahminy kite, crows, Mynas and vultures bath in ponds, pools
and puddles inside and outside aerodromes.
4. depressions, ditches, earth removed for construction may lead to
water bodies.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Shelter – Resting
1. Birds perch, squat and rest on the runways
and bare patches of shoulders (Example kite
crow and lapwing etc.).
2. Some birds prefer to perch on grassy
patches ( example Pigeon, doves and mynas)
3. Some birds perch on shrubs, trees, runway
lights, overhead wires, electric poles, flood lit
towers and wall.
4. Communal resting by group of birds when
one or more regular feeding site available.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Shelter – Roosting

1. Birds roost (sleep) on

the ground including
runways, grasses , bushes,
trees, in aircraft hangers and
other buildings and
other utility structures.
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Shelter – Nesting

1. Some birds nest on ground

on grassy patches.
Example Lapwings.
2. Some birds nest on trees.
3. Some birds use structures
like hangers etc. (Pigeon
etc.)
 Causes of bird activity at airport

Safety offered by operational area

1. Safety offered by openness, vastness and tranquility of areas not

being used by aircraft, vehicles etc. is the biggest attraction.
2. It allows birds to keep off the enemies.
3. Comparatively peaceful and undisturbed areas.
Habitat Management Key to success:

Habitat Management can be the most effective method to reduce wildlife hazard at an
airport.

The key to habitat management is avoiding conditions that attract wildlife such as food,
water, resting and breeding areas.
Thank You
Exercise
1. List individually in respect of your airport:
a) Factors suitable for bird / wildlife habitation in your airport.
b) Factors suitable for birds / wildlife in surrounding areas
c) System of garbage disposal at your airport and surrounding areas.
d) Measures being done to control bird / wildlife hazard
e) Above wildlife issues addressed or not addressed
2. Discuss in your groups:
a) Compile all identified problems.
b) Check the best practices adopted in at airports your group to
address these issues.
c) list the attended and unattended issues.
d) present to whole