The rate of birstrikes to aircraft continues to grow and much of the growth can be put down to global warming. The way birds are reacting to global warming is a major contributor to the problem. It seems that smaller species are becoming less common while larger species are becoming more common. Larger birds that form dense flocks are the most risky for aircraft. In Australia the risky species are:
- Silver Gulls (Sydney)
- Galahs (Adelaide)
- Black Kites (most inland airports)
- Magpies (Canberra)
- Flying foxes (not birds but just as risky given size and flock formation).
About 20 years ago Sydney Airport was reporting around 500 birdstrikes per year. More recently the number is approaching 1,000 per year however reporting has become less reliable due to administrative changes made by individual airports and by Airservices Australia. Air Traffic Services personnel are no longer required to report birdstrikes.
Given that large birds that form flocks are generally the more dangerous birds species it is interesting to note that the ponds near Sydney Airport support a permanent population of Australian Pelicans and there has never been a birdstrike involving pelicans at Sydney Airport. It appears that these birds are able to stay clear of aircraft flight paths all the time. Most birdstrikes at Sydney Airport involve Silver Gulls.
While the list of bird species provided above is short almost every species of bird in Australia has been involved in birdstrikes at some time.
