Which Bird?

Where there is a birdstrike, there should have been a bird. Unfortunately, many reports on bird-strikes carefully recording type of aircraft and damage incurred are without reference to the bird. No bird remains had been collected or difficulties in getting these remains identified appeared unsurmountable. They are no longer. By a combination of macroscopical, microscopical and (in special cases) biochemical methods over 95% of bird remains can be identified to type of bird, over 60% to species. Once the species is known, we have an infallible guide to further information. More important still, our birdstrike statistics are immensely more valuable. Which birds cause strikes? This question can be answered with growing confidence when all bird remains are collected and studied. In order to make the identifications, no bird remains found upon the aircraft should be discarded . This applies to all strikes, whether they did cause damage or not. Even a blood smear and a few minute feathers may contain the key to a correct identification. Bird remains should be collected under the responsibility of the airfieldís safety officer. They should be forwarded to an expert for identification. Experience shows that only a specialist in the field is able to identify bird remains critically and confidently. In countries where an identification system is operating the result is a far better knowledge of the entire birdstrike problem.