Strategies For Removing Birds From Airport Runways And Surrounds

Birds and airports are a dangerous combination. Airports employ a variety of methods to remove birds from their premises, ranging from audio, visual and chemical repellants to habitat modification, physical barriers and population management. Some airports use air cannons, which create loud noises to disrupt the environment of birds, causing them to go airborne as they believe danger is approaching. Others use lasers, distress calls, or even dogs to chase the birds away. Some airports also use more creative methods, such as deploying pigs to eat up gull eggs or using LED screens with googly eye graphics to scare off birds.

Scare tactics: Air cannons, LED screens with googly eyes, and realistic owl figurines are used to frighten birds

Airports employ a range of scare tactics to keep birds at bay and prevent bird strikes, which can cause millions of dollars in damages each year. While some airports opt for creative solutions, such as using pigs and dogs to chase away birds, others rely on more traditional methods like air cannons. These cannons emit loud sonic blasts that can reach up to 125 decibels, creating an effective deterrent.

Another innovative approach to bird control involves the use of LED screens displaying googly eyes, also known as "Looming eyes." Scientists from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the University of Rennes discovered that this visual stimulus effectively scares away raptors and corvids. The illusion of eyes constantly growing in size triggers a natural avoidance response in these birds, and they don't seem to get accustomed to it, making it a lasting solution. This method was successfully tested at the Lourdes-Tarbes-Pyrénées airport in France, where it significantly reduced the number of raptors in the immediate airspace.

In addition to these modern techniques, airports also utilize realistic owl figurines to deter birds. These decoys mimic the presence of a natural predator, exploiting the birds' instinctual fear of owls. The effectiveness of this method is supported by the widespread availability of such products, which are designed to scare birds away from gardens, rooftops, and patios.

While these scare tactics form an essential part of bird control at airports, they are just one aspect of a comprehensive strategy. Airports also take preventive measures, such as altering the nearby landscape to make it less bird-friendly. This includes filling in ponds and replacing grass with gravel, reducing the availability of food and nesting sites for birds. By combining these landscape modifications with innovative scare tactics, airports can effectively minimize the presence of birds and reduce the risk of bird strikes.

Landscape alteration: Airports may fill in ponds or replace grass with gravel to make the surroundings less bird-friendly

Landscape alteration is a method used by airports to reduce the number of birds in their surroundings. Airports may fill in ponds or replace grass with gravel to make the environment less bird-friendly. This method can help reduce the risk of bird strikes, which are a significant concern for airports and can have severe consequences.

Bird strikes refer to collisions between birds and aircraft, and they can cause substantial damage. Even though plane engines are designed to withstand smaller bird strikes, and planes can fly with only one engine, bird strikes are still a major safety hazard. The acidic nature of bird droppings can also erode a plane's exterior if left unchecked. As a result, airports employ various methods to reduce the bird population in their vicinity, including landscape alteration.

Landscape alteration involves making the airport surroundings less appealing to birds. This can be achieved by filling in ponds or other water sources, as birds are often attracted to water. By removing these sources, airports can discourage birds from nesting or gathering in the area. Additionally, replacing grass with gravel or other less hospitable surfaces can make it more difficult for birds to find food or build nests, prompting them to seek alternative locations.

While landscape alteration can be effective, it is important to note that birds can be resilient and adaptive. They may return to treated areas or relocate to other sections of the airport. As such, airports often employ multiple strategies to manage bird populations, including pyrotechnics, distress calls, bird-of-prey calls, and the use of trained dogs or birds of prey to chase away other birds.

In conclusion, landscape alteration is a critical component of airport bird control strategies. By making the surroundings less bird-friendly, airports can reduce the risk of bird strikes and maintain the safety of their operations. However, it is just one of the many tools in their arsenal, and a comprehensive approach that takes into account the specific bird species and local environment is necessary for effective bird management.

Audio repellents: Broadcasts of distress calls can lure birds away from air traffic

Birds and airports are a dangerous combination. Bird strikes are a serious concern for pilots, air traffic controllers, and passengers. Airports employ a variety of methods to prevent bird hazards, including audio repellents such as distress calls and predator sounds. These audio repellents are an effective and non-harmful way to deter unwanted birds and create an environment that feels unsafe for them.

Audio repellents, such as distress calls, are a type of sound bird deterrent that leverages the natural behaviours and instincts of birds. Birds have specific "distress calls" that they emit when attacked by a predator or when they feel threatened. Sound bird deterrents broadcast these pre-recorded distress calls, along with predator calls, to create an intimidating and hostile environment for pest birds. These sounds trigger the birds' instincts to quickly flee the area.

The effectiveness of audio repellents depends on various factors. Firstly, not all bird species have distress calls, so the availability of recorded distress calls for a specific bird species is important. Secondly, the time of year can influence the success of these measures, as certain bird species may be more or less responsive to distress calls during different seasons. Additionally, birds can get accustomed to sounds, even those they initially perceive as threatening. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate other sensory-based deterrents and rotate sounds regularly to prevent habituation.

Audio repellents can be combined with visual deterrents, such as reflective tape, decoy predators, or laser bird repellents, to enhance their effectiveness. These integrated approaches exploit a bird's natural alertness and sensitive hearing, similar to humans. By combining audio and visual cues, airports can create a more hostile and confusing environment for pest birds, increasing the likelihood of successful deterrence.

Overall, audio repellents that broadcast distress calls are a flexible and eco-friendly option for airports to lure birds away from air traffic. By targeting specific bird species or operating on a general setting, these systems provide a versatile solution for airports with diverse bird populations. However, it is important to integrate audio repellents with other measures and regularly rotate sounds to ensure their long-term effectiveness in bird control.

Chemical repellents: Machines can circulate air with aromas that repel birds

The presence of birds at airports is a serious issue, with bird strikes being a dreaded occurrence for pilots, air traffic controllers, and passengers. Airports employ various methods to prevent bird hazards, ranging from simple to creative solutions. One effective method is the use of chemical repellents, where machines circulate air with aromas that repel birds.

Chemical repellents are a safe and effective way to deter birds from airports. These repellents use specific aromas that birds find irritating or unpleasant, such as peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, and citrus oil. The strong scent of peppermint oil, in particular, can be enough to drive birds away. Additionally, substances like methyl anthranilate (MA), found in Concord grape seeds, are highly effective in repelling a wide variety of birds.

The use of machines to circulate these aromas is a strategic approach. These machines can be placed in areas where birds are a problem, such as hangars, runways, and outdoor spaces surrounding the airport. By emitting the repellent aromas into the air, the machines create an unpleasant environment for the birds, encouraging them to move on.

Chicago-O'Hare Airport is an example of an airport that has successfully employed this method. They utilize machines that circulate air scented with aromas that repel birds, such as the scent of grapes, which is known to be aversive to pigeons.

The effectiveness of chemical repellents lies in the birds' sense of smell. Birds have a strong sense of smell, and certain aromas can trigger avoidance behaviors. By exploiting this sensory weakness, airports can create a bird-free environment without causing harm to the birds or the ecosystem.

Dogs: Border collies, for example, can be trained to chase birds away

Birds can be a significant hazard to aircraft, and as such, their prevention and removal are a priority for airports. While there are many methods to deter birds, one creative way is to use dogs. Border collies, in particular, can be trained to chase birds away. Bentonville Municipal Airport in Arkansas, for instance, employs a border collie named Maverick to chase away geese.

Border collies are a herding breed, and their natural instinct to herd can be redirected towards birds with the right training. The breed is known for its intelligence and strong work ethic, making them excellent candidates for bird control. In addition to border collies, other herding breeds such as the Cardigan Welsh Corgi have been known to effectively chase and gather birds.

Training a dog to chase birds requires exposing the dog to birds from a young age and providing plenty of opportunities for the dog to interact with and chase them. The dog's natural hunting instincts can be encouraged and refined through training exercises and positive reinforcement. However, it is important to note that some dogs may have too much of a natural "stare," which can make them less effective as they become too focused on the prey.

While dogs can be an effective tool for bird control, they do have some limitations. For example, dogs can scare birds in any direction, potentially causing bird strikes on the runway if not properly managed. Additionally, the presence of birds may need to be addressed even when the dogs are not working, as the birds may return once the threat is removed. As such, dogs are often used in conjunction with other bird deterrence methods, such as audio, visual, and chemical repellents, habitat modification, physical barriers, and population management.

Overall, border collies and other herding breeds can be successfully trained to chase and remove birds from airport premises, contributing to the safety of aircraft operations.

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