It's a plane... It's a bird?!?!

[petrolero]

I've dodged hawks around Denver up at 8,000 to 9,000 MSL. Riding thermals.

 

[azure]

I had a conversation with the shop where I took my lessons, and the topic of bird strike came up. They say most planes brought in for repair have reported the strike happening between 4000 and 6000 feet, not the below 1500 feet on takeoff that seems to be what the FAA reports.

My bird strike was at about 2900 AGL or 3500 MSL. It happened in March and was probably a fairly large bird. Never determined the species as there wasn't much left of the poor blighter.

 

[ARFlyer]

I've hit a bird at 9,000' in an MD-80 going into Dallas. The captain told me to inform the gate agent since I was the first off. She wasn't happy as it was the first flight.

I've see bird quite often during the summer within thermals. I've almost hit a Bald Eagle before.

 

[3393RP]

I almost hit a hawk over Albuquerque while descending through 12,000. ...although that is about 6500 AGL....and we both were VFR.

While riding in thermals about 2,500' above Sandia Crest in my hang glider (13,000' MSL) I would occasionally encounter crows. They would usually be seen ridge soaring just above the launching spot, which was 10,660'.

The crows were interesting to watch, flying really close to me and squawking as if they resented the intrusion into their airspace.

 

[Frogs97]

I was surprised to see a swallow today at 3000 feet. Not especially high, but have never seen anything but soaring birds while flying. There was a monster thermal nearby with a hawk in it.

Tim

African or European?

 

[Twin_Flyer]

African or European?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Rn_f75UHs