C E R T A L E R T 

ADVISORY       CAUTIONARY      NON-DIRECTIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT AIRPORT WILDLIFE SPECIALIST, AAS-317 (202) 267.3389

DATE: 	August 29, 2003	No. 03-03	
TO: 	US aircraft owners/operators, US airports, Foreign air carriers operating at US airports, Principal Operating Inspectors, Principal Maintainance Inspectors	
TOPIC: 	Guidelines For Submitting Bird Strike Feather Remains For Identification	

Accurate species identification is critical for bird-aircraft strike reduction programs.  To that end, the Federal Aviation Administration, US Air Force, and USDA - Wildlife Services are working closely with the feather identification lab at the Smithsonian Institution, Museum of Natural History, to improve the understanding and prevention of bird-aircraft strike hazards.  

Feather identification of birds involved in bird-aircraft strikes will be provided free of charge to all United States aircraft owners/operators (regardless of where the strike happened), all United States airport operators, or to any foreign air carrier if the strike happened at a United States airport.  
   
Please observe the following guidelines for collecting and submitting feather or other bird/wildlife remains for species identification. These guidelines help maintain species identification accuracy, reduce turn-around time, and maintain a comprehensive database. 

1.	Collect and submit remains as soon as possible.

2.	Provide complete report information regarding the incident
a.	Fill out form FAA 5200-7. A copy can be printed from:
http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov.
b.	Mail report with feather material.
c.	Provide your contact information if you wish to be informed of the species identification.

3.	Collect as much material as possible. (Please, do not send whole birds).
a.	Pluck/pick a variety of feathers from the wings, tail and body.
b.	Include any feathers with distinct colors or patterns.
c.	Include any downy “fluff”.
d.	Include beaks, feet, talons if possible.
e.	Even if only a small amount of material is available…send all of it.
f.	Do not cut off feathers. This removes the downy region we may need to aid in identification.
g.	Do not use any sticky substance such as tape or post-it notes to attach feathers.

4.	Place material in clean plastic/zip-lock bags. 

5.	Mail the report and material to Dr. Carla Dove at the Smithsonian. She will forward the report to Ed Cleary, FAA, Office of Airport Safety and Standards.
		
For Material Sent via Express Mail Service:	For Material Sent via US Postal Service:	
Dr. Carla Dove	Dr. Carla Dove	
Smithsonian Institution	Smithsonian Institution	
NHB, E610, MRC 116	PO Box 37012	
10th & Constitution Ave. NW	NHB, E610, MRC 116	
Washington, D.C. 20560-0116	Washington, D.C. 20013-7012	
(This can be identified as “safety investigation material”)	(Not recommended for priority cases.)	
	
The species identification turn around time is usually 24 hours from receipt. The reports and species identification information are then sent to the USDA, NWRC in Sandusky, Ohio. If you wish to be notified of the identification, please include your contact information (e-mail, phone, etc.) on the report. 

For more information contact: 
Carla Dove	Ed Cleary	
dove.carla@nmnh.si.edu	ed.cleary@faa.gov	
202-357-2334	202-267-3389	

                         -OSB-                                               8/29/2003
Benedict D. Castellano, Manager
Airport Safety and Operations		

Association	President	Address 1	Address 2	City	State	Zip	
Air Line Pilots Assoc. International	Duane Woerth	535 Herndon Parkway	P.O. Box 1169	Herndon	VA	22170	
Air Transport Assoc. Of America	Carol Hallett	1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW	Suite 1100	Washington	DC	20004-1707	
Airport Council International	David Plavin	1775 K. St. NW	Suite 500	Washington	DC	20006	
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assoc.	Phil Boyer	421 Aviation Way		Frederick	MD	20006	
American Assoc. Of Airport Executives	Charles Barclay	601 Madison Street	Suite 400	Alexandria	VA	22314	
Flight Safety Foundation	Stuart Matthews	601 Madison Street	Suite 300	Alexandria	VA	22314	
General Aviation Pilots Assoc.	David Joseph	P/O. Box GAPA		Eagle Lake	FL	33839-9998	
National Air Transportation Assoc.	James Coyne	4226 King St.		Alexandria	VA	22302	
National Assoc. of State Aviation Officials	Henry Ogrodzinski	8401 Colesville road	Suite 505	Silver Springs	MD	20901	
National Business Aviation Assoc.	John Olcott	1200 18th. St. NW	Suite 400	Washington	DC	20036	
Regional Airline Assoc.	Walter Coleman	1200 19th. St. NW	Suite 300	Washington	DC	20036