Microscopic Identification of Feathers in Order to Improve Birdstrike Statistics,
Abstract
In the period 1960-1983, 1132 bird remains resulting from collisions with aircraft were sent to the Zoological Museum Amsterdam. Before 1978, these remains were identified macroscopically by comparing them with feathers from bird skins. During this period the results strongly depended on the skill of the examiner and on the condition of the feather remains. On average, 26, mostly large remains, were sent annually to the museum, of which 80% could be recognized. The remains received represented roughly 30% of the total number of reported birdstrikes. Thus birdstrike statistics could be easily biased by over-representation of nearly complete bird corpses. In order to improve the existing identification method, a microscopic key to the determination of feather remains was developed, and used in combination with macroscopic methods from 1978 on. From 1976, airfield personnel were convinced of the importance of collecting even the smallest bird remains in and on aircraft. Consequently, the total number of remains sent to the museum strongly increased to some 110 per year. Identification results from 1960-1977 are compared with those from 1978-1983, and the effect of the introduction of the microscopic key on birdstrike statistics is discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADP004187
Entities
People
- T. G. Brom
Organizations
- University of Amsterdam