Spatiotemporal Dynamics in Identification of Aircraft–Bird Strikes

• DOI: 10.3141/2471-03
• Publication Date: 2015-06-10T15:33:33Z
• Authors: Tara J. Conkling; James A. Martin; Jerrold L. Belant; Travis L. DeVault
• Keywords: Identification; Species Identification

A primary concern for human–wildlife interactions is the potential impacts resulting from wildlife (primarily birds) collisions with aircraft. The identification of species responsible aircraft necessary so that airport management can develop effective strategies to reduce strikes those species. Of particular importance in developing such regional, seasonal, and temporal patterns unidentified bird may limit effectiveness regional habitat strikes. authors analyzed 105,529 U.S. civil aviation strike records 1990 2012 FAA's National Wildlife Strike Database examine involving birds. Factors affected were certification class, FAA region, mass struck species, state richness (if damage was reported), interactive effects between last four factors. Identification varied by region declined increasing richness; this greater general (GA) airports especially when reported. Species might be improved reporting efforts relative richness, GA managers operations staff, who have a higher propensity strikes, collecting more field-based data on avian populations. results provide guidance development personnel training.