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Compare Species

Two animals, side by side

A mourning dove and a Canada goose both count as one strike - but only one of them writes off the airframe. Pick any two of 30 of the most frequently struck species. Every bar is drawn on a shared scale - the full track is the largest value across the set - so the bar lengths themselves are the comparison across the gutter. A species is flagged in oxblood when its damage rate runs at least twice the database-wide 7.8%.

What this compares

Total strikes, share that caused damage, inflation-adjusted repair bill, hull losses, body-size mix, most-common phase of flight, and the airport where each species is struck most. Every number is aggregated straight from the 208,925 records in the FAA bulk export - none of it is illustrative.

Choose a species for each panel

Panel A

Mourning dove

Small bird 9,855 strikes on record
2.1% damage rate
Total strikes 9,855
Damage rate 2.1%
Damage bill (adj.) $9.8M

across 120 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 32%
Struck most at
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL ARPT 971
1 hull-loss 355 ingestions

Gulls

Medium bird 7,035 strikes on record
16.3% damage rate
▲ 2.1× national
Total strikes 7,035
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $30.4M

across 367 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

0% S · 99% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 37%
Struck most at
LA GUARDIA ARPT 252
581 ingestions

Killdeer

Small bird 6,263 strikes on record
0.9% damage rate
Total strikes 6,263
Damage rate 0.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $4.1M

across 42 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 39%
Struck most at
DETROIT METRO WAYNE COUNTY ARPT 223
92 ingestions

American kestrel

Small bird 6,013 strikes on record
0.6% damage rate
Total strikes 6,013
Damage rate 0.6%
Damage bill (adj.) $2.2M

across 29 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

95% S · 5% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 42%
Struck most at
CHICAGO MIDWAY INTL ARPT 394
112 ingestions

Barn swallow

Small bird 5,946 strikes on record
0.4% damage rate
Total strikes 5,946
Damage rate 0.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $92K

across 37 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 38%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 242
57 ingestions

Horned lark

Small bird 5,064 strikes on record
0.4% damage rate
Total strikes 5,064
Damage rate 0.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $986K

across 37 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 37%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 1,615
93 ingestions

European starling

Small bird 4,775 strikes on record
2.9% damage rate
Total strikes 4,775
Damage rate 2.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $7.3M

across 74 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 32%
Struck most at
PHILADELPHIA INTL 191
174 ingestions

Sparrows

Small bird 3,562 strikes on record
1.5% damage rate
Total strikes 3,562
Damage rate 1.5%
Damage bill (adj.) $80K

across 44 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 31%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 79
69 ingestions

Rock pigeon

Small bird 3,334 strikes on record
7.9% damage rate
Total strikes 3,334
Damage rate 7.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $12.5M

across 85 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

97% S · 3% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 32%
Struck most at
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL ARPT 342
253 ingestions

Red-tailed hawk

Medium bird 2,856 strikes on record
13.7% damage rate
Total strikes 2,856
Damage rate 13.7%
Damage bill (adj.) $33.1M

across 142 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

1% S · 94% M · 5% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 29%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 212
8 fatalities 1 hull-loss 205 ingestions

Eastern meadowlark

Small bird 2,500 strikes on record
0.6% damage rate
Total strikes 2,500
Damage rate 0.6%
Damage bill (adj.) $651K

across 19 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 36%
Struck most at
ATLANTIC CITY INTL 152
26 ingestions

Cliff swallow

Small bird 1,977 strikes on record
0.3% damage rate
Total strikes 1,977
Damage rate 0.3%
Damage bill (adj.) $286K

across 13 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 36%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 290
20 ingestions

Ring-billed gull

Medium bird 1,768 strikes on record
7.5% damage rate
Total strikes 1,768
Damage rate 7.5%
Damage bill (adj.) $4.9M

across 51 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

1% S · 99% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 31%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 138
1 hull-loss 117 ingestions

Canada goose

Large bird 1,760 strikes on record
48.7% damage rate
▲ 6.2× national
Total strikes 1,760
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $131.0M

across 330 costed strikes

Hull losses 5

Body-size mix

0% S · 1% M · 99% L

Most common phase
Approach 43%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 77
2 fatalities 5 hull-loss 223 ingestions

Western meadowlark

Small bird 1,533 strikes on record
1.4% damage rate
Total strikes 1,533
Damage rate 1.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $371K

across 13 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 44%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 436
39 ingestions

Hawks

Medium bird 1,454 strikes on record
18.9% damage rate
▲ 2.4× national
Total strikes 1,454
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $5.6M

across 92 costed strikes

Hull losses 2

Body-size mix

1% S · 98% M · 1% L

Most common phase
Approach 34%
Struck most at
NORMAN Y. MINETA SAN JOSE INTL ARPT 46
2 hull-loss 93 ingestions

Barn owl

Small bird 1,441 strikes on record
3.5% damage rate
Total strikes 1,441
Damage rate 3.5%
Damage bill (adj.) $3.2M

across 25 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

88% S · 10% M · 3% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 45%
Struck most at
HONOLULU INTL ARPT 149
57 ingestions

Herring gull

Medium bird 1,419 strikes on record
9.1% damage rate
Total strikes 1,419
Damage rate 9.1%
Damage bill (adj.) $5.3M

across 48 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

0% S · 98% M · 2% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 34%
Struck most at
JOHN F KENNEDY INTL 364
1 hull-loss 110 ingestions

American robin

Small bird 1,342 strikes on record
7.2% damage rate
Total strikes 1,342
Damage rate 7.2%
Damage bill (adj.) $4.6M

across 50 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 56%
Struck most at
NEWARK LIBERTY INTL ARPT 73
87 ingestions

Blackbirds

Small bird 1,302 strikes on record
6.4% damage rate
Total strikes 1,302
Damage rate 6.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $1.5M

across 24 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 50%
Struck most at
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL ARPT 52
46 ingestions

Swallows

Small bird 1,209 strikes on record
0.7% damage rate
Total strikes 1,209
Damage rate 0.7%
Damage bill (adj.) $135K

across 7 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 34%
Struck most at
HARRISBURG INTL 57
26 ingestions

Doves

Small bird 1,125 strikes on record
4.4% damage rate
Total strikes 1,125
Damage rate 4.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $660K

across 23 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 35%
Struck most at
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL 143
41 ingestions

Pacific golden-plover

Small bird 1,097 strikes on record
1.2% damage rate
Total strikes 1,097
Damage rate 1.2%
Damage bill (adj.) $373K

across 6 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 43%
Struck most at
HONOLULU INTL ARPT 398
17 ingestions

White-tailed deer

Large bird 1,072 strikes on record
82.7% damage rate
▲ 10.6× national
Total strikes 1,072
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $47.6M

across 330 costed strikes

Hull losses 23

Body-size mix

0% S · 0% M · 100% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 61%
Struck most at
BALTIMORE/WASH INTL THURGOOD MARSHAL ARPT 17
1 fatalities 23 hull-loss 7 ingestions

Mallard

Medium bird 1,050 strikes on record
20.4% damage rate
▲ 2.6× national
Total strikes 1,050
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $20.5M

across 84 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

0% S · 98% M · 2% L

Most common phase
Approach 47%
Struck most at
TETERBORO AIRPORT 97
98 ingestions

Microbats

Small bird 1,036 strikes on record
0.6% damage rate
Total strikes 1,036
Damage rate 0.6%
Damage bill (adj.) $3K

across 5 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 64%
Struck most at
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL 127
8 ingestions

Perching birds (y)

Small bird 1,016 strikes on record
3.3% damage rate
Total strikes 1,016
Damage rate 3.3%
Damage bill (adj.) $193K

across 29 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 61%
Struck most at
SALT LAKE CITY INTL 28
36 ingestions

Chimney swift

Small bird 910 strikes on record
0.9% damage rate
Total strikes 910
Damage rate 0.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $41K

across 12 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 68%
Struck most at
CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL ARPT 91
20 ingestions

Ducks

Medium bird 879 strikes on record
33.6% damage rate
▲ 4.3× national
Total strikes 879
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $8.8M

across 91 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

0% S · 99% M · 1% L

Most common phase
Approach 53%
Struck most at
SACRAMENTO INTL 73
1 hull-loss 73 ingestions

Tree swallow

Small bird 852 strikes on record
0.0% damage rate
Total strikes 852
Damage rate 0.0%
Damage bill (adj.) $3K

across 6 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 33%
Struck most at
ORLANDO INTL 88
12 ingestions

Panel B

Mourning dove

Small bird 9,855 strikes on record
2.1% damage rate
Total strikes 9,855
Damage rate 2.1%
Damage bill (adj.) $9.8M

across 120 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 32%
Struck most at
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL ARPT 971
1 hull-loss 355 ingestions

Gulls

Medium bird 7,035 strikes on record
16.3% damage rate
▲ 2.1× national
Total strikes 7,035
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $30.4M

across 367 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

0% S · 99% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 37%
Struck most at
LA GUARDIA ARPT 252
581 ingestions

Killdeer

Small bird 6,263 strikes on record
0.9% damage rate
Total strikes 6,263
Damage rate 0.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $4.1M

across 42 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 39%
Struck most at
DETROIT METRO WAYNE COUNTY ARPT 223
92 ingestions

American kestrel

Small bird 6,013 strikes on record
0.6% damage rate
Total strikes 6,013
Damage rate 0.6%
Damage bill (adj.) $2.2M

across 29 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

95% S · 5% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 42%
Struck most at
CHICAGO MIDWAY INTL ARPT 394
112 ingestions

Barn swallow

Small bird 5,946 strikes on record
0.4% damage rate
Total strikes 5,946
Damage rate 0.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $92K

across 37 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 38%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 242
57 ingestions

Horned lark

Small bird 5,064 strikes on record
0.4% damage rate
Total strikes 5,064
Damage rate 0.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $986K

across 37 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 37%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 1,615
93 ingestions

European starling

Small bird 4,775 strikes on record
2.9% damage rate
Total strikes 4,775
Damage rate 2.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $7.3M

across 74 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 32%
Struck most at
PHILADELPHIA INTL 191
174 ingestions

Sparrows

Small bird 3,562 strikes on record
1.5% damage rate
Total strikes 3,562
Damage rate 1.5%
Damage bill (adj.) $80K

across 44 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 31%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 79
69 ingestions

Rock pigeon

Small bird 3,334 strikes on record
7.9% damage rate
Total strikes 3,334
Damage rate 7.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $12.5M

across 85 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

97% S · 3% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 32%
Struck most at
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL ARPT 342
253 ingestions

Red-tailed hawk

Medium bird 2,856 strikes on record
13.7% damage rate
Total strikes 2,856
Damage rate 13.7%
Damage bill (adj.) $33.1M

across 142 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

1% S · 94% M · 5% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 29%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 212
8 fatalities 1 hull-loss 205 ingestions

Eastern meadowlark

Small bird 2,500 strikes on record
0.6% damage rate
Total strikes 2,500
Damage rate 0.6%
Damage bill (adj.) $651K

across 19 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 36%
Struck most at
ATLANTIC CITY INTL 152
26 ingestions

Cliff swallow

Small bird 1,977 strikes on record
0.3% damage rate
Total strikes 1,977
Damage rate 0.3%
Damage bill (adj.) $286K

across 13 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 36%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 290
20 ingestions

Ring-billed gull

Medium bird 1,768 strikes on record
7.5% damage rate
Total strikes 1,768
Damage rate 7.5%
Damage bill (adj.) $4.9M

across 51 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

1% S · 99% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 31%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 138
1 hull-loss 117 ingestions

Canada goose

Large bird 1,760 strikes on record
48.7% damage rate
▲ 6.2× national
Total strikes 1,760
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $131.0M

across 330 costed strikes

Hull losses 5

Body-size mix

0% S · 1% M · 99% L

Most common phase
Approach 43%
Struck most at
CHICAGO O'HARE INTL ARPT 77
2 fatalities 5 hull-loss 223 ingestions

Western meadowlark

Small bird 1,533 strikes on record
1.4% damage rate
Total strikes 1,533
Damage rate 1.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $371K

across 13 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 44%
Struck most at
DENVER INTL AIRPORT 436
39 ingestions

Hawks

Medium bird 1,454 strikes on record
18.9% damage rate
▲ 2.4× national
Total strikes 1,454
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $5.6M

across 92 costed strikes

Hull losses 2

Body-size mix

1% S · 98% M · 1% L

Most common phase
Approach 34%
Struck most at
NORMAN Y. MINETA SAN JOSE INTL ARPT 46
2 hull-loss 93 ingestions

Barn owl

Small bird 1,441 strikes on record
3.5% damage rate
Total strikes 1,441
Damage rate 3.5%
Damage bill (adj.) $3.2M

across 25 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

88% S · 10% M · 3% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 45%
Struck most at
HONOLULU INTL ARPT 149
57 ingestions

Herring gull

Medium bird 1,419 strikes on record
9.1% damage rate
Total strikes 1,419
Damage rate 9.1%
Damage bill (adj.) $5.3M

across 48 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

0% S · 98% M · 2% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 34%
Struck most at
JOHN F KENNEDY INTL 364
1 hull-loss 110 ingestions

American robin

Small bird 1,342 strikes on record
7.2% damage rate
Total strikes 1,342
Damage rate 7.2%
Damage bill (adj.) $4.6M

across 50 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 56%
Struck most at
NEWARK LIBERTY INTL ARPT 73
87 ingestions

Blackbirds

Small bird 1,302 strikes on record
6.4% damage rate
Total strikes 1,302
Damage rate 6.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $1.5M

across 24 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 50%
Struck most at
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL ARPT 52
46 ingestions

Swallows

Small bird 1,209 strikes on record
0.7% damage rate
Total strikes 1,209
Damage rate 0.7%
Damage bill (adj.) $135K

across 7 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 34%
Struck most at
HARRISBURG INTL 57
26 ingestions

Doves

Small bird 1,125 strikes on record
4.4% damage rate
Total strikes 1,125
Damage rate 4.4%
Damage bill (adj.) $660K

across 23 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Take-off Run 35%
Struck most at
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL 143
41 ingestions

Pacific golden-plover

Small bird 1,097 strikes on record
1.2% damage rate
Total strikes 1,097
Damage rate 1.2%
Damage bill (adj.) $373K

across 6 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

98% S · 2% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 43%
Struck most at
HONOLULU INTL ARPT 398
17 ingestions

White-tailed deer

Large bird 1,072 strikes on record
82.7% damage rate
▲ 10.6× national
Total strikes 1,072
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $47.6M

across 330 costed strikes

Hull losses 23

Body-size mix

0% S · 0% M · 100% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 61%
Struck most at
BALTIMORE/WASH INTL THURGOOD MARSHAL ARPT 17
1 fatalities 23 hull-loss 7 ingestions

Mallard

Medium bird 1,050 strikes on record
20.4% damage rate
▲ 2.6× national
Total strikes 1,050
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $20.5M

across 84 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

0% S · 98% M · 2% L

Most common phase
Approach 47%
Struck most at
TETERBORO AIRPORT 97
98 ingestions

Microbats

Small bird 1,036 strikes on record
0.6% damage rate
Total strikes 1,036
Damage rate 0.6%
Damage bill (adj.) $3K

across 5 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 64%
Struck most at
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL 127
8 ingestions

Perching birds (y)

Small bird 1,016 strikes on record
3.3% damage rate
Total strikes 1,016
Damage rate 3.3%
Damage bill (adj.) $193K

across 29 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 61%
Struck most at
SALT LAKE CITY INTL 28
36 ingestions

Chimney swift

Small bird 910 strikes on record
0.9% damage rate
Total strikes 910
Damage rate 0.9%
Damage bill (adj.) $41K

across 12 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

99% S · 1% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Approach 68%
Struck most at
CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL ARPT 91
20 ingestions

Ducks

Medium bird 879 strikes on record
33.6% damage rate
▲ 4.3× national
Total strikes 879
Damage rate above national
Damage bill (adj.) $8.8M

across 91 costed strikes

Hull losses 1

Body-size mix

0% S · 99% M · 1% L

Most common phase
Approach 53%
Struck most at
SACRAMENTO INTL 73
1 hull-loss 73 ingestions

Tree swallow

Small bird 852 strikes on record
0.0% damage rate
Total strikes 852
Damage rate 0.0%
Damage bill (adj.) $3K

across 6 costed strikes

Hull losses 0

Body-size mix

100% S · 0% M · 0% L

Most common phase
Landing Roll 33%
Struck most at
ORLANDO INTL 88
12 ingestions
Small Medium Large body size Damage rate above national

Set: the 30 most frequently struck named species (minimum 200 strikes each, generic "unknown bird" buckets excluded), drawn from the 764 taxa on record. Source: FAA National Wildlife Strike Database, bulk Access export. The full ranked read lives on the field guide.