Seeing Snarge: Visualizing the FAA Bird Strike Data

snarge ( sn • arge ) n. The feathered leftovers after the flight paths of a bird and a plane intersect.

The Smithsonian Institution's Feather Identification Lab receives about a dozen packages of snarge every day. The lucky researchers there have the fowl job of identifying the species of bird involved in the bird/plane collision. By recording and tracking this collision data, the researchers help lawmakers and industry develop best practices to reduce the risk of future collisions.

My favorite is Southwest Florida International, which seems to be having a bit of a problem with alligators. (So far, there have been no reported issues of snakes on a plane.)

Snarge Facts: Do You Know?

Perhaps the biggest lesson is the need for more consistent reporting. Reporting bird strikes is currently voluntary, which may explain why Atlanta International lists so many fewer incidents than, say, Dallas Fort Worth, despite having 50% more flights.

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Comments

On September 1st, 2009 Ellie Fields said:

I wonder how complete the reporting of bird strikes is? Seems many may go unreported, especially if they don't cause damage.

On September 1st, 2009 Niels Hoven said:

Not just Alligators, also an armadillo problem...

On September 5th, 2009 PK Bunker (not verified) said:

So Merrill Field (PAMR) is just down the road from me, and there are several other small airports within and around Anchorage that aren't listed (can't afford to analyze?). So I wonder if these airports with no jets, just small propeller airplanes collect significantly less gore than commercial jets. Also, why don't we have data on U.S. military snarge? Do they have their own snargent at arms?

Snarge