Book 23, Question 121
How Do Airports Keep Birds Away From Runways?
Birds and planes should not share a runway. Airports use many gentle ways to keep birds away. That protects birds and passengers! Short grass makes birds move on.
More fun facts
- Wildlife strikes cost American airlines and airports up to 625 million dollars a year.
- About 72 percent of wildlife strikes happen when a plane is 500 feet or less above the ground.
- Most airports are covered in grassland, so crews keep the grass at a height that makes birds less likely to visit.
- Some airports use trained border collies or falcons to chase birds away.
- Models of dead birds can scare birds off, especially when used together with lasers.
- Loud sounds, such as recorded bird distress calls and noisy pyrotechnics, are also used to scare birds.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Questions kids ask
Why do birds visit airports?
Airports have lots of open grassland where birds can find insects and other food.