**the Federal Aviation Administration,**

###### the U.S. Air Force,

**the U.S. Army,**

**the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,**

**the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and**

**the U.S. Department of Agriculture**

**to Address Aircraft-Wildlife Strikes**

## PURPOSE

The signatory agencies know the risks that aircraft-wildlife strikes
pose to safe aviation.

This Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) acknowledges each signatory agency's
respective missions. Through this MOA, the agencies establish procedures
necessary to coordinate their missions to more effectively address
existing and future environmental conditions contributing to
aircraft-wildlife strikes throughout the United States. These efforts
are intended to minimize wildlife risks to aviation and human safety,
while protecting the Nation's valuable environmental resources.

# **BACKGROUND**

Aircraft-wildlife strikes are the second leading causes of
aviation-related fatalities. Globally, these strikes have killed over
400 people and destroyed more than 420 aircraft. While these extreme
events are rare when compared to the millions of annual aircraft
operations, the potential for catastrophic loss of human life resulting
from one incident is substantial. The most recent accident demonstrating
the grievous nature of these strikes occurred in September 1995, when a
U.S. Air Force reconnaissance jet struck a flock of Canada geese during
takeoff, killing all 24 people aboard.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Air
Force (USAF) databases contain information on more than 54,000 United
States civilian and military aircraft-wildlife strikes reported to them
between 1990 and 1999[^1]. During that decade, the FAA received reports
indicating that aircraft-wildlife strikes, damaged 4,500 civilian U.S.
aircraft (1,500 substantially), destroyed 19 aircraft, injured 91
people, and killed 6 people. Additionally, there were 216 incidents
where birds struck two or more engines on civilian aircraft, with damage
occurring to 26 percent of the 449 engines involved in these incidents.
The FAA estimates that during the same decade, civilian U.S. aircraft
sustained \$4 billion worth of damages and associated losses and 4.7
million hours of aircraft downtime due to aircraft-wildlife strikes. For
the same period, USAF planes colliding with wildlife resulted in 10
Class A Mishaps[^2], 26 airmen deaths, and over \$217 million in
damages.

Approximately 97 percent of the reported civilian aircraft-wildlife
strikes involved common, large-bodied birds or large flocks of small
birds. Almost 70 percent of these events involved gulls, waterfowl, and
raptors (Table 1).

About 90 percent of aircraft-wildlife strikes occur on or near airports,
when aircraft are below altitudes of 2,000 feet. Aircraft-wildlife
strikes at these elevations are especially dangerous because aircraft
are moving at high speeds and are close to or on the ground. Aircrews
are intently focused on complex take-off or landing procedures and
monitoring the movements of other aircraft in the airport vicinity.
Aircrew attention to these activities while at low altitudes often
compromises their ability to successfully recover from unexpected
collisions with wildlife and to deal with rapidly changing flight
procedures. As a result, crews have minimal time and space to recover
from aircraft-wildlife strikes.

Increasing bird and wildlife populations in urban and suburban areas
near airports contribute to escalating aircraft-wildlife strike rates.
FAA, USAF, and Wildlife Services (WS) experts expect the risks,
frequencies, and potential severities of aircraft-wildlife strikes to
increase during the next decade as the numbers of civilian and military
aircraft operations grow to meet expanding transportation and military
demands.

**SECTION I.**

**SCOPE OF COOPERATION AND COORDINATION**

Based on the preceding information and to achieve this MOA's purpose,
the signatory agencies:

A.  Agree to strongly encourage their respective regional and local
    offices, as appropriate, to develop interagency coordination
    procedures necessary to effectively and efficiently implement this
    MOA. Local procedures should clarify time frames and other general
    coordination guidelines.

B.  Agree that the term "airport" applies only to those facilities as
    defined in the attached glossary.

C.  Agree that the three major activities of most concern include, but
    are not limited to:

> 1\. airport siting and expansion;
>
> 2\. development of conservation/mitigation habitats or other land uses
> that could attract hazardous wildlife to airports or nearby areas; and

3\. responses to known wildlife hazards or aircraft-wildlife strikes.

D.  Agree that "hazardous wildlife" are those animals, identified to
    species and listed in FAA and USAF databases, that are most often
    involved in aircraft-wildlife strikes. Many of the species
    frequently inhabit areas on or near airports, cause structural
    damage to airport facilities, or attract other wildlife that pose an
    aircraft-wildlife strike hazard. Table 1 lists many of these
    species. It is included solely to provide information on identified
    wildlife species that have been involved in aircraft-wildlife
    strikes. It is [not]{.underline} intended to represent the universe
    of species concerning the signatory agencies, since more than 50
    percent of the aircraft-wildlife strikes reported to FAA or the USAF
    did not identify the species involved.

E.  Agree to focus on habitats attractive to the species noted in Table
    1, but the signatory agencies realize that it is imperative to
    recognize that wildlife hazard determinations discussed in Paragraph
    L of this section may involve other animals.

F.  Agree that not all habitat types attract hazardous wildlife. The
    signatory agencies, during their consultative or decisionmaking
    activities, will inform regional and local land use authorities of
    this MOA's purpose. The signatory agencies will consider regional,
    local, and site-specific factors (e.g., geographic setting and/or
    ecological concerns) when conducting these activities and will work
    cooperatively with the authorities as they develop and implement
    local land use programs under their respective jurisdictions. The
    signatory agencies will encourage these stakeholders to develop land
    uses within the siting criteria noted in Section 1-3 of FAA Advisory
    Circular (AC) 150.5200-33 (Attachment A) that do not attract
    hazardous wildlife. Conversely, the agencies will promote the
    establishment of land uses attractive to hazardous wildlife outside
    those siting criteria. Exceptions to the above siting criteria, as
    described in Section 2.4.b of the AC, will be considered because
    they typically involve habitats that provide unique ecological
    functions or values (e.g., critical habitat for federally-listed
    endangered or threatened species, ground water recharge).

G.  Agree that wetlands provide many important ecological functions and
    values, including fish and wildlife habitats; flood protection;
    shoreline erosion control; water quality improvement; and
    recreational, educational, and research opportunities. To protect
    jurisdictional wetlands, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA)
    establishes a program to regulate dredge and/or fill activities in
    these wetlands and navigable waters. In recognizing Section 404
    requirements and the Clean Water Action Plan's goal to annually
    increase the Nation's net wetland acreage by 100,000 acres through
    2005, the signatory agencies agree to resolve aircraft-wildlife
    conflicts. They will do so by avoiding and minimizing wetland
    impacts to the maximum extent practicable, and will work to
    compensate for all associated unavoidable wetland impacts. The
    agencies agree to work with landowners and communities to encourage
    and support wetland restoration or enhancement efforts that do not
    increase aircraft-wildlife strike potentials.

H.  Agree that the: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) has expertise in
    protecting and managing jurisdictional wetlands and their associated
    wildlife; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expertise
    in protecting environmental resources; and the U.S. Fish and
    Wildlife Service (USFWS) has expertise in protecting and managing
    wildlife and their habitats, including migratory birds and wetlands.
    Appropriate signatory agencies will cooperatively review proposals
    to develop or expand wetland mitigation sites, or wildlife refuges
    that may attract hazardous wildlife. When planning these sites or
    refuges, the signatory agencies will diligently consider the siting
    criteria and land use practice recommendations stated in FAA AC
    150/5200-33. The agencies will make every effort to undertake
    actions that are consistent with those criteria and recommendations,
    but recognize that exceptions to the siting criteria may be
    appropriate (see Paragraph F of this section).

I.  Agree to consult with airport proponents during initial airport
    planning efforts. As appropriate, the FAA or USAF will initiate
    signatory agency participation in these efforts. When evaluating
    proposals to build new civilian or military aviation facilities or
    to expand existing ones, the FAA or the USAF, will work with
    appropriate signatory agencies to diligently evaluate alternatives
    that may avoid adverse effects on wetlands, other aquatic resources,
    and Federal wildlife refuges. If these or other habitats support
    hazardous wildlife, and there is no practicable alternative location
    for the proposed aviation project, the appropriate signatory
    agencies, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and
    policies, will develop mutually acceptable measures, to protect
    aviation safety and mitigate any unavoidable wildlife impacts.

J.  Agree that a variety of other land uses (e.g., storm water
    management facilities, wastewater treatment systems, landfills, golf
    courses, parks, agricultural or aquacultural facilities, and
    landscapes) attract hazardous wildlife and are, therefore, normally
    incompatible with airports. Accordingly, new, federally-funded
    airport construction or airport expansion projects near habitats or
    other land uses that may attract hazardous wildlife must conform to
    the siting criteria established in the FAA Advisory Circular (AC)
    150/5200-33, Section 1-3.

K.  Agree to encourage and advise owners and/or operators of non-airport
    facilities that are known hazardous wildlife attractants (See
    Paragraph J) to follow the siting criteria in Section 1-3 of AC
    150/5200-33. As appropriate, each signatory agency will inform
    proponents of these or other land uses about the land use's
    potential to attract hazardous species to airport areas. The
    signatory agencies will urge facility owners and/or operators about
    the critical need to consider the land uses' effects on aviation
    safety.

L.  Agree that FAA, USAF, and WS personnel have the expertise necessary
    to determine the aircraft-wildlife strike potentials of various land
    uses. When there is disagreement among signatory agencies about a
    particular land use and its potential to attract hazardous wildlife,
    the FAA, USAF, or WS will prepare a wildlife hazard assessment.
    Then, the appropriate signatory agencies will meet at the local
    level to review the assessment. At a minimum, that assessment will:

1\. identify each species causing the aviation hazard, its seasonal and
daily populations, and the population's local movements;

> 2\. discuss locations and features on and near the airport or land use
> attractive to hazardous wildlife; and

3\. evaluate the extent of the wildlife hazard to aviation.

M.  Agree to cooperate with the airport operator to develop a specific,
    wildlife hazard management plan for a given location, when a
    potential wildlife hazard is identified. The plan will meet
    applicable FAA, USAF, and other relevant requirements. In developing
    the plan, the appropriate agencies will use their expertise and
    attempt to integrate their respective programmatic responsibilities,
    while complying with existing laws, regulations, and policies. The
    plan should avoid adverse impacts to wildlife populations, wetlands,
    or other sensitive habitats to the maximum extent practical.
    Unavoidable impacts resulting from implementing the plan will be
    fully compensated pursuant to all applicable Federal laws,
    regulations, and policies.

N.  Agree that whenever a significant aircraft-wildlife strike occurs or
    a potential for one is identified, any signatory agency may initiate
    actions with other appropriate signatory agencies to evaluate the
    situation and develop mutually acceptable solutions to reduce the
    identified strike probability. The agencies will work cooperatively,
    preferably at the local level, to determine the causes of the strike
    and what can and should be done at the airport or in its vicinity to
    reduce potential strikes involving that species.

O.  Agree that information and analyses relating to mitigation that
    could cause or contribute to aircraft-wildlife strikes should,
    whenever possible, be included in documents prepared to satisfy the
    National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This should be done in
    coordination with appropriate signatory agencies to inform the
    public and Federal decision makers about important ecological
    factors that may affect aviation. This concurrent review of
    environmental issues will promote the streamlining of the NEPA
    review process.

P.  Agree to cooperatively develop mutually acceptable and consistent
    guidance, manuals, or procedures addressing the management of
    habitats attractive to hazardous wildlife, when those habitats are
    or will be within the siting criteria noted in Section 1-3 of FAA AC
    5200-33. As appropriate, the signatory agencies will also consult
    each other when they propose revisions to any regulations or
    guidance relevant to the purpose of this MOA, and agree to modify
    this MOA accordingly.

**SECTION II.\
GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION**

A.  Development of this MOA fulfills the National Transportation Safety
    Board's recommendation of November 19, 1999, to form an
    inter-departmental task force to address aircraft-wildlife strike
    issues.

B.  This MOA does not nullify any obligations of the signatory agencies
    to enter into separate MOAs with the USFWS addressing the
    conservation of migratory birds, as outlined in Executive Order
    13186, *Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory
    Birds*, dated January 10, 2001 (66 *Federal Register*, No. 11, pg.
    3853).

C.  This MOA in no way restricts a signatory agency's participation in
    similar activities or arrangements with other public or private
    agencies, organizations, or individuals.

D.  This MOA does not alter or modify compliance with any Federal law,
    regulation or guidance (e.g., Clean Water Act; Endangered Species
    Act; Migratory Bird Treaty Act; National Environmental Policy Act;
    North American Wetlands Conservation Act; Safe Drinking Water Act;
    or the "no-net loss" policy for wetland protection). The signatory
    agencies will employ this MOA in concert with the Federal guidance
    addressing wetland mitigation banking dated March 6, 1995 (60
    *Federal Register*, No. 43, pg. 12286).

E.  The statutory provisions and regulations mentioned above contain
    legally binding requirements. However, this MOA does not substitute
    for those provisions or regulations, nor is it a regulation itself.
    This MOA does not impose legally binding requirements on the
    signatory agencies or any other party, and may not apply to a
    particular situation in certain circumstances. The signatory
    agencies retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case
    basis that differ from this MOA when they determine it is
    appropriate to do so. Such decisions will be based on the facts of a
    particular case and applicable legal requirements. Therefore,
    interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about
    the substance of this MOA and the appropriateness of its application
    to a particular situation.

F.  This MOA is based on evolving information and may be revised
    periodically without public notice. The signatory agencies welcome
    public comments on this MOA at any time and will consider those
    comments in any future revision of this MOA.

G.  This MOA is intended to improve the internal management of the
    Executive Branch to address conflicts between aviation safety and
    wildlife. This MOA does not create any right, benefit, or trust
    responsibility, either substantively or procedurally. No party, by
    law or equity, may enforce this MOA against the United States, its
    agencies, its officers, or any person.

H.  This MOA does not obligate any signatory agency to allocate or spend
    appropriations or enter into any contract or other obligations.

I.  This MOA does not reduce or affect the authority of Federal, State,
    or local agencies regarding land uses under their respective
    purviews. When requested, the signatory agencies will provide
    technical expertise to agencies making decisions regarding land uses
    within the siting criteria in Section 1-3 of FAA AC 150/5200-33 to
    minimize or prevent attracting hazardous wildlife to airport areas.

J.  Any signatory agency may request changes to this MOA by submitting a
    written request to any other signatory agency and subsequently
    obtaining the written concurrence of all signatory agencies.

K.  Any signatory agency may terminate its participation in this MOA
    within 60 days of providing written notice to the other agencies.
    This MOA will remain in effect until all signatory agencies
    terminate their participation in it.

> **SECTION III. PRINCIPAL SIGNATORY AGENCY CONTACTS**

The following list identifies contact offices for each signatory agency.

Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Air Force

Office Airport Safety and Standards HQ AFSC/SEFW

Airport Safety and 9700 Ave., G. SE, Bldg. 24499

Compliance Branch (AAS-310) Kirtland AFB, NM 87117

800 Independence Ave., S.W. V: 505-846-5679

Washington, D.C. 20591 F: 505-846-0684

V: 202-267-1799

F: 202-267-7546

U.S. Army U.S. Environmental Protection Agy.

Directorate of Civil Works Office of Water

Regulatory Branch (CECW-OR) Wetlands Division

441 G St., N.W. Ariel Rios Building, MC 4502F

Washington, D.C. 20314 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., SW

V: 202-761-4750 Washington, D.C. 20460

F: 202-761-4150 V: 202-260-1799

F: 202-260-7546

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Department of Agriculture

Division of Migratory Bird Management Animal and Plant Inspection
Service

4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 634 Wildlife Services

Arlington, VA 22203 Operational Support Staff

V: 703-358-1714 4700 River Road, Unit 87

F: 703-358-2272 Riverdale, MD 20737

V: 301-734-7921

F: 301-734-5157

**Signature Page**

Original Signed by:\
***Woodie Woodward*** **12/17/2002**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Associate Administrator for Airports, Date

Federal Aviation Administration

Original Signed by:\
***Kenneth W. Hess*** **27 May 2003**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Chief of Safety, Date

U. S. Air Force

Original Signed by:\
***R.L. Brownlee* December 9, 2002**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), Date

U.S. Army

Original Signed by:\
***G. Tracy Mehan, III* 1/17/03**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, Date

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Original Signed by:\
***Paul R. Schmidt*** **7/29/03**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Assistant Director, Migratory Birds Date

and State Programs,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Original Signed by:\
***Richard D Curnow*** **9 January 2003**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

***Acting*** Deputy Administrator, Wildlife Services Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture

###### GLOSSARY

This glossary defines terms used in this MOA.

**Airport.** All USAF airfields or all public use airports in the FAA's
National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Note: There are
over 18,000 civil-use airports in the U.S., but only 3,344 of them are
in the NPIAS and, therefore, under FAA's jurisdiction.

**Aircraft-wildlife strike.** An aircraft-wildlife strike is deemed to
have occurred when:

1.  a pilot reports that an aircraft struck 1 or more birds or other
    wildlife;

2.  aircraft maintenance personnel identify aircraft damage as having
    been caused by an aircraft-wildlife strike;

3.  personnel on the ground report seeing an aircraft strike 1 or more
    birds or other wildlife;

4.  bird or other wildlife remains, whether in whole or in part, are
    found within 200 feet of a runway centerline, unless another reason
    for the animal\'s death is identified; or

5.  the animal\'s presence on the airport had a significant, negative
    effect on a flight (i.e., aborted takeoff, aborted landing,
    high-speed emergency stop, aircraft left pavement area to avoid
    collision with animal)

(Source: *Wildlife Control Procedures Manual*, Technical Publication
11500E, 1994).

**Aircraft-wildlife strike hazard.** A potential for a damaging aircraft
collision with wildlife on or near an airport (14 CFR 139.3).

Bird Sizes. Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 33.76 classifies
birds according to weight:

> small birds weigh less than 3 ounces (oz).
>
> medium birds weigh more than 3 oz and less than 2.5 lbs.
>
> large birds weigh greater than 2.5 lbs.

**Civil aircraft damage classifications.** The following damage
descriptions are based on the *Manual on the International Civil
Aviation Organization Bird Strike Information System*:

## 

> **Minor:** The aircraft is deemed airworthy upon completing simple
> repairs or replacing minor parts and an extensive inspection is not
> necessary.
>
> **Substantial:** Damage or structural failure adversely affects an
> aircraft's structural integrity, performance, or flight
> characteristics. The damage normally requires major repairs or the
> replacement of the entire affected component. Bent fairings or
> cowlings; small dents; skin punctures; damage to wing tips, antenna,
> tires or brakes, or engine blade damage not requiring blade
> replacement are specifically excluded.

## 

## Destroyed: The damage sustained makes it inadvisable to restore the aircraft to an airworthy condition.

## 

**Significant Aircraft-Wildlife Strikes**. A significant
aircraft-wildlife strike is deemed to have occurred when any of the
following applies:

## 

1.  a civilian, U.S. air carrier aircraft experiences a multiple
    aircraft-bird strike or engine ingestion;

2.  a civilian, U.S. air carrier aircraft experiences a damaging
    collision with wildlife other than birds; or

3.  a USAF aircraft experiences a Class A, B, or C mishap as described
    below:

    A.  **Class A Mishap:** Occurs when at least one of the following
        applies:

        1.  total mishap cost is \$1,000,000 or more;

        2.  a fatality or permanent total disability occurs; and/or

        3.  an Air Force aircraft is destroyed.

    B.  **Class B Mishap:** Occurs when at least one of the following
        applies:

        1.  total mishap cost is \$200,000 or more and less than
            \$1,000,000; and/or

        2.  a permanent partial disability occurs and/or 3 or more
            people are hospitalized;

    C.  **Class C Mishap:** Occurs when at least one of the following
        applies:

        1.  cost of reported damage is between \$20,000 and \$200,000;

        2.  an injury causes a lost workday (i.e., duration of absence
            is at least 8 hours beyond the day or shift during which
            mishap occurred); and/or

        3.  an occupational illness causing absence from work at any
            time.

### Wetlands. An ecosystem requiring constant or recurrent, shallow inundation or saturation at or near the surface of the substrate. The minimum essential characteristics of a wetland are recurrent, sustained inundation or saturation at or near the surface and the presence of physical, chemical, and biological features indicating recurrent, sustained inundation, or saturation. Common diagnostic wetland features are hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation. These features will be present, except where specific physiochemical, biotic, or anthropogenic factors have removed them or prevented their development. 

### 

### (Source the 1987 Delineation Manual; 40 CFR 230.3(t)). 

**Wildlife.** Any wild animal, including without limitation any wild
mammal, bird, reptile, fish, amphibian, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod,
coelenterate, or other invertebrate, including any part, product, egg,
or offspring there of (50 CFR 10.12, *Taking, Possession,
Transportation, Sale, Purchase, Barter, Exportation, and Importation of
Wildlife and Plants*). As used in this MOA, "wildlife" includes feral
animals and domestic animals while out of their owner's control (14 CFR
139.3, *Certification and Operations: Land Airports Serving
CAB-Certificated Scheduled Air Carriers Operating Large Aircraft (Other
Than Helicopters)*)

**Table 1.** Identified wildlife species, or groups, that were involved
in two or more aircraft-wildlife strikes, that caused damage to one or
more aircraft components, or that had an adverse effect on an aircraft's
flight. Data are for 1990-1999 and involve only civilian, U.S. aircraft.

+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| #### Birds                                  | ###                    |
|                                             | # No. reported strikes |
+=============================================+========================+
| Gulls (all spp.)                            | 874                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Geese (primarily, Canada geese)             | 458                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Hawks (primarily, Red-tailed hawks)         | 182                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Ducks (primarily Mallards.)                 | 166                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Vultures (primarily, Turkey vulture)        | 142                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Rock doves                                  | 122                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Doves (primarily, mourning doves)           | 109                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Blackbirds                                  | 81                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| European starlings                          | 55                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Sparrows                                    | 52                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Egrets                                      | 41                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Shore birds (primarily, Killdeer &          | 40                     |
| Sandpipers)                                 |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Crows                                       | 31                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Owls                                        | 24                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Sandhill cranes                             | 22                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| American kestrels                           | 15                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Great blue herons                           | 15                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Pelicans                                    | 14                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Swallows                                    | 14                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Eagles (Bald and Golden)                    | 14                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Ospreys                                     | 13                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Ring-necked pheasants                       | 11                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Herons                                      | 11                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Barn-owls                                   | 9                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| American robins                             | 8                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Meadowlarks                                 | 8                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Buntings (snow)                             | 7                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Cormorants                                  | 6                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Snow buntings                               | 6                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Brants                                      | 5                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Terns (all spp.)                            | 5                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Great horned owls                           | 5                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Horned larks                                | 4                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Turkeys                                     | 4                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Swans                                       | 3                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Mockingbirds                                | 3                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Quails                                      | 3                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Homing pigeons                              | 3                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Snowy owls                                  | 3                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Anhingas                                    | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Ravens                                      | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Kites                                       | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Falcons                                     | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Peregrine falcons                           | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Merlins                                     | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Grouse                                      | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Hungarian partridges                        | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Spotted doves                               | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Thrushes                                    | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Mynas                                       | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Finches                                     | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| ##### Total known birds                     | 2,612                  |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+

+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| #### Mammals                                | ###                    |
|                                             | # No. reported strikes |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Deer (primarily, White-tailed deer)         | 285                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Coyotes                                     | 16                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Dogs                                        | 10                     |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Elk                                         | 6                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Cattle                                      | 5                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Bats                                        | 4                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Horses                                      | 3                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Pronghorn antelopes                         | 3                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Foxes                                       | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Raccoons                                    | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Rabbits                                     | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| Moose                                       | 2                      |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| ##### Total known mammals                   | 340                    |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+

Ring-billed gulls were the most commonly struck gulls. The U.S.
ring-billed gull population increased steadily at about 6% annually from
1966-1988. Canada geese were involved in about 90% of the aircraft-goose
strikes involving civilian, U.S. aircraft from 1990-1998. Resident
(non-migratory) Canada goose populations increased annually at 13% from
1966-1998. Red-tailed hawks accounted for 90% of the identified
aircraft-hawk strikes for the 10-year period. Red-tailed hawk
populations increased annually at 3% from 1966 to 1998. Turkey vultures
were involved in 93% of he identified aircraft-vulture strikes. The U.S.
Turkey vulture populations increased at annually at 1% between 1966 and
1998. Deer, primarily white-tailed deer, have also adapted to urban and
airport areas and their populations have increased dramatically. In the
early 1900's, there were about 100,000 white-tailed deer in the U.S.
Current estimates are that the U.S. population is about 24 million.

[^1]: FAA estimates that the 28,150 aircraft-wildlife strike reports it
    received represent less than 20% of the actual number of strikes
    that occurred during the decade.

[^2]: See glossary for the definition of a Class A Mishap and similar
    terms.