Wildlife strike

Wildlife strike — a concrete risk for aviation

Wildlife strike refers to a collision between an aircraft and wildlife, particularly birds, which account for approximately 95% of all recorded events. The phenomenon is an inherent consequence of aeronautical operations: from the very beginning of aviation history, aircraft and birds have shared the same airspace, with consequences that can sometimes be extremely serious.

The energy released on impact depends on the mass of the animal and the square of the aircraft’s speed. A bird weighing just one kilogram, struck at 300 km/h, can generate an impact force equivalent to a 100 kg weight falling from a height of 10 metres. If the impact involves the engines, the risk of ingestion may impair their operation up to the point of shutdown.

The situation in Italy

Italy has specific characteristics that make the phenomenon particularly significant. The country hosts more than 550 bird species, approximately 270 of which breed regularly, ranking Italy among the richest in avian biodiversity in Europe. In addition to this resident richness, Italy serves as a major migratory corridor: approximately 2.1 billion Passeriformes cross the Mediterranean twice a year, together with large-bodied species such as storks, wild geese, herons, and raptors.

In this context, Italian airports record approximately 2,500 wildlife strike events per year. Some 80% of these events occur within or in the immediate vicinity of the aerodrome, during the critical phases of take-off and landing.

ENAC’s role

The National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) coordinates wildlife strike prevention and risk management activities through the Bird Strike Committee Italy (BSCI), formally established in 1993. The Committee comprises 13 members, including a professional ornithologist, drawn from all bodies involved in aviation safety.

BSCI activities include the definition of the national regulatory framework, oversight of airport wildlife surveys, collection and analysis of strike data, and the promotion of best operational practices. Since 2002, a national database has been in operation, systematically collecting reports from all Italian airports.

Key figures worldwide (1912–2025)

Source: Avisure–Dolbeer database

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