Falconry at Airports: A Tool for Safety and Bird Hazard Management

Introduction

Dr. S. M. Satheesan is a distinguished ornithologist with over 40 years of experience in bird hazard management. His expertise spans wildlife control at more than 30 civil and military airports across India. Known for his contributions to non-lethal methods of wildlife management, Dr. Satheesan’s work aligns with global aviation safety practices promoted by organizations like ICAO.

A key area of his research involves falconry—an ancient practice of using trained birds of prey to manage bird hazards at airports. Although falconry is not yet fully adopted in India, it offers innovative, eco-friendly solutions for aviation safety. This approach complements other control measures by leveraging the natural predatory behavior of falcons, hawks, and eagles to deter birds from high-risk zones.

Pilots like Capt. Amit Singh have written extensively about the need for more comprehensive wildlife hazard strategies in aviation. His blog, Avians Still Rule the Skies, emphasizes the challenges Indian airports face with persistent bird activity. The integration of biological deterrents like falconry alongside conventional safety measures is crucial for minimizing risks.

The Threat of Bird Strikes and Emerging Risks

Bird strikes, where birds collide with aircraft, remain one of the most significant safety concerns for the aviation industry. As urban areas expand around airports, bird activity in these zones increases. Airports in India are particularly vulnerable to species like pigeons, crows, kites, and vultures, which often cause operational disruptions. ICAO estimates that bird strikes account for more than 35% of wildlife-related aviation incidents worldwide, resulting in substantial economic losses annually.

In Capt. Amit Singh’s analysis, current bird control measures—such as distress calls, scare cannons, and reflective tape—are often insufficient. Airports need a layered approach that combines multiple strategies to reduce bird strike risks effectively.

Moreover, airports must prepare for drone intrusions, which pose new challenges to air safety. In his blog, Rogue Drones: Do Indian Airports Have a Contingency Plan?, Capt. Singh explores the risks posed by unauthorized drones. Falconry offers the potential to address both bird and drone threats, making it a versatile addition to airport safety protocols.

What is Falconry?

Falconry is the practice of training raptors—such as falcons, hawks, or eagles—to act as a deterrent to other birds. The presence of these birds of prey creates an instinctive fear response in smaller birds, discouraging them from gathering in critical areas like runways and taxiways. Unlike other methods, falconry leverages natural behavioral patterns, making it a non-lethal and sustainable solution.

Falconry has been successfully implemented at several international airports, such as London Heathrow, Doha, and Vancouver, to reduce bird strikes. Dr. Satheesan advocates for introducing falconry in India, believing it can complement existing measures like habitat management and sonic deterrents.

Falconry’s Potential in the Indian Context

In India, bird hazard management is particularly challenging due to the diversity of bird species and legal restrictions on wildlife handling under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). The use of falcons or hawks at Indian airports could significantly improve safety, but several hurdles need to be addressed:

1. Operational Complexity: Airports must coordinate with DGCA and wildlife agencies to ensure compliance with regulations.
2. Training Requirements: Professional falconers need to be hired and certified to handle raptors safely within airport environments.
3. Security Clearances: Birds and handlers must meet strict security standards to operate near active runways.
4. Maintenance and Costs: Falconry is labor-intensive and requires continuous training, veterinary care, and maintenance of the raptors.

Despite these challenges, the ecological and operational benefits of falconry make it a promising long-term strategy for Indian airports.

Case Studies of Successful Falconry Programs

Changi Airport, Singapore

Changi Airport is renowned for its wildlife management program. The airport employs trained dogs, falconry, habitat control, and drones to minimize wildlife risks. This multi-layered strategy ensures operational efficiency while maintaining environmental responsibility. Changi’s use of falcons demonstrates how integrating traditional practices like falconry with modern technology can yield excellent results.

Vancouver International Airport, Canada

At Vancouver International Airport, hawks and falcons patrol runways to prevent bird strikes. Their efforts are supported by drones and monitoring technologies, creating a coordinated system that keeps bird activity under control.

Heathrow Airport, London

Heathrow employs falcons and robotic birds to deter wildlife. The airport’s wildlife control team uses raptors as part of a larger program that includes sonic devices and habitat management. Dr. Satheesan’s observations of these practices emphasize the effectiveness of blending biological and technological tools to manage bird activity.

The Role of Falconry in Drone Management

Falconry is not limited to bird management; it also offers a unique solution to drone intrusions. Airports in the Netherlands have experimented with using trained falcons to intercept rogue drones. This approach allows airports to neutralize unauthorized drones safely without causing damage to infrastructure or endangering people on the ground.

With the increasing prevalence of drone activity around airports, Indian aviation authorities could explore falconry as part of their contingency plans for drone management.

Robotic Falcons: The Future of Bird Hazard Management

In recent years, airports have started experimenting with robotic falcons—mechanized birds that mimic the behavior of real raptors. These devices offer a consistent deterrent without requiring the continuous care and training needed for live falcons. Robotic falcons are already in use at airports in Canada and Europe, proving to be highly effective in reducing bird activity.

Dr. Satheesan suggests that Indian airports could adopt a hybrid approach, combining live falcons with robotic counterparts to ensure year-round coverage.

Recommendations for Implementing Falconry in India

Introducing falconry at Indian airports requires careful planning and coordination. Dr. Satheesan proposes the following steps:

1. Pilot Program: Launch a pilot project at select airports, such as Delhi and Mumbai, under expert supervision.
2. Collaboration with Authorities: Work with DGCA and environmental agencies to align operations with regulatory frameworks.
3. Training Programs: Develop training modules for falconers and airport personnel to ensure seamless operations.
4. Monitoring and Feedback: Use drones and surveillance systems to monitor bird activity and measure the effectiveness of falconry over time.

Conclusion

As bird strikes and drone intrusions continue to threaten aviation safety, innovative, eco-friendly solutions are essential. Falconry offers a unique way to enhance wildlife hazard management at airports by leveraging the natural instincts of raptors. Dr. S. M. Satheesan’s experience and insights demonstrate the potential of falconry to complement existing safety measures in India.

With inspiration from global success stories, such as those at Changi, Vancouver, and Heathrow, Indian airports can adopt falconry as part of their safety framework. By integrating falconry with modern technologies like robotic birds and drones, airports can ensure a safe, sustainable, and resilient environment for aviation operations.