Birds, Wildlife and Your Drone

Birds are the one airborne hazard that moves on its own, does not carry Remote ID and rarely gives way. The Part 107 test covers wildlife as part of airport operations, and the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual has the rules of thumb.

When and where is the risk highest?

The AIM says bird strike risk rises during migration, from March through April and from August through November. More than 90 percent of reported strikes happen at or below 3,000 feet AGL, which puts every drone flight inside the danger band.

It names the most hazardous birds, because of their size, numbers or habit of flying in dense flocks: gulls, waterfowl, vultures, hawks, owls, egrets, blackbirds and starlings. And it lists four major migratory flyways: the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific.

What should you do when birds approach?

The AIM's advice for manned pilots is to climb, because birds in flocks tend to spread downward, with the lead birds highest. For a drone, the practical version is to avoid known concentrations and to leave room to climb or move away rather than descend into a flock. The AIM also notes that charted wildlife refuges and natural areas often hold unusually high local concentrations of birds.

How do you report a strike?

The AIM urges pilots to report any bird or other wildlife strike on FAA Form 5200-7, the Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report, available through the FAA's wildlife page. The data shapes airport wildlife control. If you see large flocks near an airport, the AIM asks pilots to tell the nearest tower, Flight Service or center the location, type of bird, approximate number, altitude and direction of flight.

Can you fly over wildlife refuges and parks?

Charted refuges come with their own rules. The AIM says pilots are asked to stay at least 2,000 feet above the surface of national parks, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas, and that landing on lands or waters run by the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service or the Forest Service needs the agency's authorization. A drone is an aircraft, so plan takeoffs and landings outside those lands unless you have permission. The state guides note where park rules come up most.

What the exam asks about wildlife

The ACS element is UA.V.B.K7: avoiding bird and wildlife hazards and reporting collisions between aircraft and wildlife. Expect the migration months, the 3,000-foot figure, the climb-to-avoid advice and Form 5200-7. Other hazards in the same family, such as wires and exhaust plumes, are in the flight hazards post.

Drone use in national parks is covered in detail in the national parks post.