Bird species identification - bird strike aircraft

Forensic ornithology is a specialised branch of forensic zoology. It involves bird species identification through the examination of feathers, feather fragments and bird skeleton bones that are the end products of aircraft bird strikes, wind turbine bird strikes, power line bird collisions, communication tower bird collisions and tall building bird collisions.

Forensic ornithology is also used for bird identification by customs authorities through the examination of bird feathers, eggs, egg fragments (bird egg identification), bird specimens and nests confiscated at airports and seaports.

When birds strike aircraft they can inflict massive damage to the aircraft and, occasionally, cause the loss of human life. Therefore, Ambecol designs, implements and monitors the efficiency of bird hazard management plans at airports to help reduce the incidents of bird strikes. We also design and implement similar plans for wind farms to help reduce the incidence of strikes between wind turbines and birds.

AMBECOL'S FORENSIC SERVICES

1.	Bird Strikes and Collisions:
	Identification of bird feathers, feather fragments and bones of birds colliding with:
		Aircraft
		Wind turbines on wind farms
		Power lines
		Tall buildings

2.	Quarantine Issues:
	Identifying birds, feathers, eggs, egg fragments, bird specimens and nests of potential bird stowaways in:
		Ships
		Cargo containers
		Aircraft
		Road vehicles

3.	Crime Scenes:
	Many bird species have restricted geographical and habitat distributions. Therefore, forensic ornithology can sometimes help determine where crimes have been committed. For instance, at homicide scenes, feathers or feather fragments found on or near a victim’s body may provide clues to the type of habitat or region of Australia that the crime was committed.

4.	Confiscated Bird Goods:
	Identification of bird specimens or materials that have been confiscated by customs officials at airports and shipping ports.

5.	Anthropological Artefacts:
	Identification of feather, egg and bird bone components of anthropological artefacts from the Australasian region.