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Birds and Planes: What Really Happens

2 min read

The short answer

Planes meet birds often, and the vast majority of these strikes cause no damage at all. Engines and windscreens are tested against birds before they're ever approved, and airports work hard to keep birds away. If a strike does happen, pilots follow a well-practised routine.

More Common — and Less Serious — Than You'd Think

Birds share the sky with planes, especially near airports. In 2024, the US recorded about 22,000 wildlife strikes — roughly 60 a day.

That sounds like a lot. But over the years, only about 7 in every 100 reported strikes caused any damage at all. Most are a small bird meeting a big, strong plane, and the plane barely notices.

Engines Are Tested With Birds

Before a jet engine can be approved, it must show it can swallow birds and keep working safely. Engineers really do fire birds into running engines during testing. Read jet engines explained.

So Are the Windscreens

The cockpit windscreen must withstand a hit from a bird weighing about 1.8 kg (4 lb) at high speed. The windscreen is made of several thick layers, so even a crack in one layer leaves the others holding firm.

Airports Keep Birds Away

Airports have wildlife teams. They:

  • keep grass at heights birds don't like
  • remove water and food sources near runways
  • use sounds, lights and trained staff to move birds on
  • warn pilots when birds are active

If It Happens on Your Flight

You might hear a thud, or notice nothing at all. The pilots check their instruments and follow a standard routine. Often the flight simply continues. Sometimes the pilots return to the airport so engineers can take a look — a careful precaution, not an emergency.

The Takeaway

Bird strikes are an expected part of flying, and planes are built and tested with them in mind. The overwhelming majority are over in a second, with no harm done.

Sources

Keep reading

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How a New Plane Is Tested Before It Carries Passengers

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