Bird Strike Committee USA

08/06/2026

Congratulations to the team at West Virginia International Yeager Airport - CRW for winning this year’s photo contest! Hercules and Ned make this look easy!

08/06/2026

As we wrap up our airport tour and this year’s conference comes to an end, we’re reminded that airports are more than places that we simply travel through. They are hubs of innovation, where dedicated professionals devote their careers to making the world a safer place for both people and wildlife.

Bringing together so many passionate professionals from across aviation, wildlife biology, academia, government, and industry created an unmatched opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and strengthen the partnerships that make our airports safer. The collective expertise in the room was truly inspiring.

A special thank you to our host airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and its outstanding staff for welcoming us and making us feel like part of their team throughout the week. Thank you as well to everyone who attended, presented, exhibited, volunteered, and helped make the 2026 North American Aviation Wildlife Conference such a tremendous success.

We’re already looking ahead to an exciting milestone. Next year, the conference will be hosted by the Bird Strike Association of Canada and will mark the first-ever Pan-American Bird Strike Conference, bringing together the Bird Strike Association of Canada, the Bird Strike Committee USA, and CARSAMPAF. Stay tuned for updates!

Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Safe travels home—we look forward to seeing you in Canada next year!

08/05/2026

🚨 **Now Available: FAA Wildlife Strike Report (1990–2025)**

The FAA has released the latest edition of ***Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States (1990–2025)***, including data through the end of 2025. This report remains one of the most valuable resources for understanding wildlife strike trends and supporting aviation safety.

📄 Read the report here:
https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/wildlife/arp-Wildlife-Strike-Report-1990-2025.pdf

Thank you to all who have contributed to the report!

08/05/2026

It's 8:00 AM and day two of our conference!

Great safety cultures don't wait for accidents—they learn from close calls. Yesterday, Dr. Richard Dolbeer's presentation on the normalization of deviance reinforced that every bird strike is more than an isolated event; it's an opportunity to strengthen the system before the next incident.

08/04/2026

Wow!

Dr. Carla Dove’s keynote address was an incredible way to kick off the conference! The room was captivated as she discussed the evolution of the Smithsonian’s Feather Identification Laboratory and the vital work that they do to advance aviation safety and wildlife science.

A heartfelt thank you to Carla, Jim, Faridah, Sarah, and Ingrid. The work that you do continues to inspire and amaze all of us!

08/03/2026

The wait is almost over! Tomorrow we kick off the 2026 North American Aviation Wildlife Conference, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome aviation and wildlife professionals from across North America.

Over the next few days, we'll have the opportunity to learn from one another, share innovative ideas, strengthen partnerships, and work together to advance aviation wildlife hazard management. From engaging presentations and discussions to networking events and the airport wildlife management tour, it's looking to be a fantastic conference.

To everyone traveling to Cleveland today, we wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for being part of this incredible community—we can't wait to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new colleagues.

See you tomorrow!

07/17/2026

📣 Planning to join us in Cleveland—or still considering it? The 2026 U.S. Aviation Wildlife Management Conference agenda is now live!

Explore the sessions and start planning your experience. From the latest research and innovative mitigation strategies to real-world case studies, this year’s program offers valuable insights for everyone involved in aviation wildlife management. ✈️🦅

There’s still time to register and be part of the conversation!

View the agenda and register today: https://aaae.org/birdstrike

Find innovative techniques for avoiding conflicts between airplanes and wildlife at the Aviation Wildlife Management Conference, presented in partnership with Bird Strike Committee USA.

07/17/2026

Newly released NTSB investigation documents suggest a bird strike may have played a role in the tragic 2025 Hudson River sightseeing helicopter crash that claimed six lives. While the investigation is ongoing, the findings underscore the importance of effective wildlife hazard management across all sectors of aviation.

Anthony Carlo spoke to a woman who witnessed the crash, and was pivotal in the NTSB's investigation.

07/14/2026

🦅 Do more birds mean more bird strikes? ✈️

A new study says yes—but with important caveats. While bird abundance is linked to strike risk, the research also highlights the need for better, standardized monitoring to improve aviation safety.

🔗 Read more: https://a-z-animals.com/articles/do-more-birds-really-mean-more-bird-strikes-new-evidence-says-yes-with-caveats/

💬 Have your wildlife surveys shown a connection between bird abundance and strike rates?

Common sense means more birds around airports means more bird collisions, but researchers have now definitively correlated it.

06/18/2026

🛫 New Training Opportunity for Pilots

Wildlife hazards remain a significant operational risk in aviation. This specialized training is designed to enhance pilots' ability to recognize, assess, communicate, and mitigate wildlife hazards before they become safety threats.

Learn more: https://avilearn.learnworlds.com/course/pilots-foundation

This is a comprehensive professional course to increase pilots' ability to recognize, assess, communicate, and mitigate wildlife hazards during operations.