Determination of Body Density for Twelve Bird Species
Abstract
Body density, mass, wingspan, and circumference measurements were completed on 12 bird species to better understand the bird/aircraft collision hazard. Body densities for the 12 species ranged from 0.602-0.918 g/cm3 dry, 0. 743-0.947 g/cm3 wet, and 0.880-1.050 g/ CM3 plucked. The mean length-to-diameter ratio of the 12 species was 4.8 +/- 0.3. Significant negative correlations were found between dry density (N = 144) and wingspan (r = -0.52, P < 0.001), dry circumference (r = -0.229, P < 0.006), or body length (r = -0.264, P < 0.001). The percent of body mass represented by feathers differed among species, but not by sex or sex x species. Herring Gulls, Turkey Vultures, and Laughing Gulls had 9-10 % of their body mass in feathers while seven other species had 2-4 % of their body mass in feathers. An understanding of avian body density is essential to 1) aid standardization of international birdstrike testing techniques, 2) establish the acceptability and validity of using artificial birds for aircraft birdstrike testing, 3) establish birdstrike resistance standards for aircraft components, and 4) aid computer modeling of bird bodies.... Bird strike testing, Aircraft collisions, Bird density Bird length, Bird mass, Bird circumference, Wingspan, Artificial birds, Bird feathers, Bird strike standards
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA266452
Entities
People
- David M. Hamershock
- Glen E. Bernhardt
- Thomas W. Seamans
Organizations
- Wright Laboratory