The airspace around airports is highly sensitive, where the presence of birds poses a significant risk to aerial operations’ safety. Birds colliding with aircraft, known as “bird strikes“, can lead to grave incidents.
To mitigate this risk, various strategies for controlling birds have been implemented, with the deployment of falcons being among the most effective and environmentally considerate.
The areas surrounding airports often attract diverse bird species, varying based on the airport’s geographical location, typically including seagulls, pigeons, and crows. Attracted to the expansive open areas and food availability, these birds are frequent airport visitors, thus presenting a considerable hazard to aircraft.
Falcons, renowned for their agility and flight capabilities, play a pivotal role in controlling birds at airports. Their mere presence is sufficient to deter other birds from approaching, thanks to their natural status as predators.
The employment of falcons for bird control honours the ecological balance. As a natural component of the food chain, falcons offer an environmentally friendly solution, avoiding the need for harsher or more intrusive methods.
Falconers are highly trained individuals in managing and training falcons. Their task involves teaching these birds to patrol the airport skies, keeping other bird species away.
This profession, with historical roots, has adapted to meet modern-day requirements, becoming a crucial element in aviation safety.
We’ve got a video that details the role of falconers and falcons at airports – it’s a must-watch!
The practice of using falcons to control birds at airports isn’t recent. Its origins date back several decades when the necessity for effective and natural methods to address this problem was identified.
Falconry, the bedrock of the falconers’ work, is a millennia-old practice. However, its application to airports is an example of how age-old traditions can find new roles in the modern world, blending a respect for nature with technology and present-day needs.
Falconry at airports has evolved to incorporate cutting-edge technologies to improve falcons’ efficiency and effectiveness. These include GPS tracking systems, specialised training, and management techniques tailored to the unique challenges of airport environments.
