Roohi Kanwal, M Zaheer Khan, Syed Ali Ghalib, Tasneem Saqib, Iqbal Saeed Khan, Saima Siddiqui, Babar Hussain, Karim Gabol, Afsheen Zehra, Ghazala Yasmeen and M Asif Iqbal
Keywords: Avifauna, population estimation, aerodromes, birds strike.
Abstract: Roosting in birds is a common phenomenon in Avian Biology. Roosting behavior includes the mode, timing, duration, distance, ecological and seasonal patterns which are topics of primary consideration for the naturalists and avian ecologists. One of the aspects of the bird roosting is its hazardous effects on the airfields. In Pakistan a number of accidents have occurred every year as a result of bird collisions with aircraft. This is of concern for the aircrafts. Some accidents have caused damage to civilian aircrafts as well in Pakista and the present study is undertaken with special reference to three aerodromes in Karachi. Reporting of the wildlife collisions with aircraft is recorded all over the world.. According to the literature, collision between the birds and aircrafts are known to cause substantial loss in the avian industry in terms of damage and delay every year. The existing information reveals that the changes in the bird population around airfield should be noted. The relationship between the bird abundance and strike frequency is complex and the changes in bird number coincide with changes in strike frequency. In the present study 47 species of birds have been recorded with their seasonal occurance data which pose a great threat to aircrafts during Flight, Landing and Take Off. 44 species of flora were recorded which play an important role in providing nesting and roosting areas for avifauna. Globally, bird strikes have been of great safety concern. It is expected that proposed research would advance knowledge about the roosting of birds and methodologies to turn the airport into safe areas.
[View Complete Article]