A feathered security force: falconry in the service of airports

A medieval legacy brought up to date

Falconry, an ancient art, has found a valuable modern application: managing the risk of collisions between birds and aircraft.

Today, specialized companies like Services Environnementaux Faucon (SEF) and Falcon Environmental Inc. use birds of prey (eagles, gyrfalcons, peregrine falcons) to deter gulls, geese, plovers, and other species that frequent airports.

Why is this method more effective?

• Natural and ecological

No chemicals or danger to the environment.

• Rapid establishment of a exclusion zone

Birds' instinctive behavior causes them to flee over long distances.

• Seasonal adaptability

Falconers adjust their interventions according to migration periods.

• Cost-effective

Long-term savings on damage to aircraft and downtime.

Complementary traditional techniques

Airports often combine several methods:

• Auditory repellents

Propane cannons, pyrotechnics, noise devices, but birds get used to them.

• Landscaping

Mowing grass, covering water basins to reduce attraction.

• Lethal measures (as a last resort) such as firearms, now largely abandoned and replaced by more ethical solutions in Canada.

The current context in Canada

Thanks to the banning of certain pesticides and the creation of wildlife refuges, bird populations are growing. Transport Canada requires the reporting of collisions with wildlife, but long-term monitoring of bird populations is still underdeveloped. SEF and Falcon Environmental encourage airports to integrate regular monitoring to adjust interventions according to seasonal or climatic variations.

Real risks

• Economic consequences

A collision can cost up to millions of dollars in repairs and operational disruptions.

• Risks to human life

The example of US Airways Flight 1549's emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009 after a collision with birds on takeoff from La Guardia illustrates this danger.

Modern practices to implement

• Preliminary assessment

Identify problematic species and at-risk areas around the airport.

• Integration of falconry

Rigorous training of raptors to patrol around the perimeter (excluding runways), their flight triggering the birds' escape.

• Continuous monitoring

Collection of data on wildlife, collisions, weather, and air traffic to optimize interventions.

• Mixed approach

Combine habitat management, sound/visual repellents, falconry, drones, and dogs for a comprehensive system.