Birds vs. Planes

As shown by Captain Sullenberger's flight in last January, the amount of birds at airports is unsafe. Kennedy International Airport in particular has increased bird populations because it was built on wetlands. The wildlife there interferes with the planes. Sea gulls especially invade Kennedy, leaving their clam shells on the runway. Laura C. Francoeur, the chief wildlife biologist for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other wildlife supervisors patrol the runways using shotguns to try to get them out of the sky.

According to Francoeur, many new techniques are being used to keep the birds away. The ones mentioned include pyrotechnics, traps, birds of prey, clippers, laser, helikite, noise, cabbie control and yankee ingenuity. Some scare the birds away and others strategically keep them from coming. For example, pyrotechnics look like guns but are simply noisemakers with screeching and banging sounds. And, a helikite is used to scare smaller birds. This part balloon, part kite floats in the air to represent a predatory bird. On the other hand, clippers are used for grass on the runway to maintain a 6 to 10 inch height. If the grass is too long, small mammals appear which attract raptors. If the grass is too short, birds sit and watch for predators, especially sea gulls.


In this situation, I can understand why they need to keep the birds away from airplanes. Aside from being harmed themselves, humans could potentially be harmed as shown in last January. However, it is ultimately Kennedy Airpoirt's fault for the amount of birds in the area. They build the airport directly on a natural habitat for birds. Where did they expect them to go? They should certainly not be harmed or killed for trying to find a place to live. If they were so concerned about keeping the birds away, they should have reconsidered their location.

Wilson, Michael. (2010, January 3) Working to Separate Big and Small Fliers. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com