Birdstrike Identification (Poster)

Identification of feather evidence retrieved from birdstrikes provides essential information that allows airfield managers, engineers, pilots and government agencies to work together to prevent damaging birdstrikes. Knowing the identity of the birds that are causing problems is the first step in formulating a plan to discourage birds from interfering with aviation safety. The feather identification process is complex and involves cleaning feather material, microscopic examination, and whole feather comparisons with specimens in a museum collection. This poster presents the feather identification technique and provides information to various agencies on how and where to send birdstrike remains for identification

Identification of Bird Species Used to Make a Viking Age Feather Pillow

A grave containing the remains of a wooden boat was discovered in 1934 under a low mound in a bog at Øksnes in the Vesterålen islands of northern Norway. The boat grave dates to the 10th century in the Viking Age, and grave goods placed in the boat include an iron axe, a cowhide in which the body was wrapped, and pillow remains consisting of feather stuffing and a wool textile cover. A microscopic analysis of the feathers from a subsample of the pillow fill identified three avian orders: Anseriformes (eider); Suliformes (cormorant), and Charadriiformes (unspecified gull). It was possible to make one species-level identification of Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and to narrow the gull types to the “white-headed” gull group. The sample was composed of a nearly equal mix of downy and pennaceous feather types. Downy feathers from gulls (Laridae) composed the majority of the material in this sample. While it is reported that feathers and down (assumed to be eider) were used in the Late Iron Age, this is the first successful attempt to identify bird species used in these materials and suggests that avian species identifications should be explored in other such burial items to enhance our understanding of human-wildlife interactions throughout Norse history.Une fosse comprenant les restes d’un bateau en bois a été découverte en 1934 en bas de la petite butte d’une tourbière à Øksnes, dans les îles Vesterålen, au nord de la Norvège. La fosse remonte au dixième siècle de l’âge des Vikings et les objets funéraires placés dans le bateau comprennent une hache de fer, une peau de vache dans laquelle le corps était enveloppé et des restes d’oreiller constitués d’une garniture de plumes et d’une étoffe en laine. Un sous-échantillon de la rembourrure de plumes a été analysé au microscope, ce qui a permis d’identifier trois ordres aviaires : Anseriformes (eider), Suliformes (cormoran) et Charadriiformes (goéland non spécifié). L’analyse a également permis d’identifier une espèce de cormoran, soit le grand cormoran (Phalacrocorax carbo), et d’établir que les types de goélands appartenaient au groupe à« tête blanche ». L’échantillon était composé d’un mélange à peu près égal de types de plumes duveteuses et de plumes pennes. Les plumes duveteuses de goélands (Laridae) composaient la majorité de la matière de cet échantillon. Bien que l’on ait signalé que plumes et duvet (prétendument en provenance d’eiders) aient été utilisés vers l’âge du fer supérieur, il s’agit de la première tentative réussie d’identifier les espèces d’oiseaux utilisées dans ces matériaux, ce qui suggère que l’identification des espèces aviaires devrait être approfondie dans le cas d’autres articles d’inhumation afin de mieux comprendre l’interaction entre les humains et la faune au fil de l’histoire norse.Могила с останками в деревянной лодке была обнаружена в 1934 году в низкой насыпи в болоте у Øksnes на Вестероленских островах северной Норвегии. Захоронение датируется 10-м веком в эпоху викингов и вещи, помещенные в лодку включают железный топор, коровья шкура, в которую было завернуто тело и остатки подушки состоящeй из шерстяной оболочки зполненой перьями. Выборка перьев из заполнения подушки была проанализирована микроскопически и три различных отряда птиц были определены по этим перьям: Гусеобразные (гага), Ржанкообразные (чайка) и Пеликанообразные (баклан). До вида удалось определить только баклана как большого баклана (Phalacrocorax карбо) и сузить тип чайки до «белоголовой» группы чаек. Выборка перьев состоит из почти равных объемов пуховых и контурных перьев. Пуховые перья чаек (Laridae) преобладали в составе выборки. Хотя сообщения о том, что перья и пух (предположительно гаги) использовались в позднем железном веке, это первая успешная попытка определить виды птиц из этих материалов, которая указывает на необходимость определения видов птиц и в других таких захоронениях для улучшения нашего понимания взаимотношений человека и диких животных в скандинавской истории

A proposed emendation of the Gray Flycatchers type locality and formal designation of its lectotype\u27

The Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) now bears the specific epithet that Spencer Fullerton Baird provisionally designated\u27 for a potential new species of this genus—which he described from two seemingly undated Smithsonian Institution museum skins (i.e., USNM 7234 and 7237), and which the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey botanist Charles Wright had purportedly collected at El Paso, El Paso County, Texas presumably in the early 1850s. However, our research indicates that: (a) the latter locality did not exist as such when Wright collected these specimens, which respective dates we have determined were almost certainly 4 May and 3 April 1852; and (b) he had instead obtained them at the U.S. Boundary Commission\u27s operational headquarters located upstream along the Rio Grande at nearby Frontera, Texas. That facility was soon destroyed by a massive flood that swept down this river on the night of 25 June 1852—since which date a series of international and interstate agreements resulted in its former site having been variously shifted between Chihuahua, Texas, and New Mexico until 1930, when it was officially placed in present Sunland Park, Doña Ana County in the latter state. Consequently, it is this latest location that we are here proposing as the emended type locality of E. wrightii Baird, while at the same time also formally designating the taxon\u27s sole remaining Smithsonian syntype (USNM 7234) as its lectotype.\u2

Forensic Bird-Strike Identification Techniques Used in an Accident Investigation at Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma, 2008

On March 4, 2008, a Cessna Citation 1 (Model 500) crashed in a wooded area near Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma, killing all 5 people on board. This paper describes the detailed forensic methods and expertise used by the Smithsonian Institution’s Feather Identification Lab to identify the bird that caused this bird-strike incident. We used standard methods of whole-feather analysis, microscopic examination, and DNA barcoding in this case to identify American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) as the bird species involved in this fatal crash. We also report the importance of proper field investigation and evidence collection for accurate results, particularly for this case, and generally for all bird-strike identifications

Identification of Ancient Feather Fragments Found in Melting Alpine Ice Patches in Southern Yukon

Twelve ancient artifacts or fragmented feather samples recovered from melting alpine ice patches in southern Yukon were analyzed in order to identify the species of birds associated with the ice patches or used on weapons recovered from these sites. The identification of bird species used by ancient hunters as long ago as 4500 BP enhances our insight into the customs, culture, and sophistication of life at that time. Downy feather barbs were found on two samples and microscopically identified as duck (Anatidae) and falcon (Falconidae). Further examination and comparisons using museum specimens resulted in a total of six identifications: Anatidae, eagle (Aquila or Haliaeetus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus), short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), and northern flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus). Three of the feather samples were complete enough to show apparent modification, or notching, along the feather shaft. The identification of non-game birds such as gyrfalcon and eagles, together with evidence of possible worked or notched feathers, indicates that as long as 4500 years ago, Subarctic hunters selected feathers not only for their utility in fletching, but also possibly for symbolic or decorative purposes.On a analysé 12 anciens artefacts ou échantillons de fragments de plumes découverts dans le sud du Yukon lors de la fonte de plaques de glace alpine, afin d’identifier les espèces aviaires associées à ces plaques de glace ou utilisées sur les armes provenant de ces sites. L’identification des espèces aviaires utilisées par les anciens chasseurs à une époque aussi reculée que 4500 BP nous permet de mieux comprendre les coutumes, la culture et le degré de sophistication de la vie à cette époque. On a trouvé des barbes duveteuses sur deux échantillons et l’analyse au microscope a révélé qu’elles appartenaient à un canard (anatidé) et à un faucon (falconidé). Un examen plus poussé et des comparaisons avec des spécimens présents dans des musées ont permis d’établir six provenances: anatidé, aigle (Aquila ou Haliaeetus), faucon gerfaut (Falco rusticolus), lagopède à queue blanche (Lagopus leucurus), hibou des marais (Asio flammeus) et pic flamboyant (Colaptes auratus luteus). Trois des échantillons de plumes étaient assez complets pour révéler des modifications apparentes ou encoches, le long de la tige de la plume. L’identification d’oiseaux non cynégétiques tels que le faucon gerfaut et les aigles, combinée avec la découverte de plumes encochées ou éventuellement travaillées, révèle qu’il y a 4500 ans, les chasseurs subarctiques sélectionnaient déjà les plumes non seulement dans un but utilitaire pour en faire des empennes de flèches, mais peut-être aussi à des fins symboliques ou d’ornementation

ND2 as an Additional Genetic Marker to Improve Identification of Diving Ducks Involved in Bird Strikes

Knowing the exact species of birds involved in damaging collisions with aircraft (bird strikes) is paramount to managing and preventing these types of human–wildlife conflicts. While a standard genetic marker, or DNA barcode (mitochondrial DNA gene cytochrome-c oxidase 1, or CO1), can reliably identify most avian species, this marker cannot distinguish among some closely related species. Diving ducks within the genus Aythya are an example of congeneric waterfowl involved in bird strikes where several species pairs cannot be reliably identified with the standard DNA barcode. Here, we describe methods for using an additional genetic marker (mitochondrial DNA gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2, or ND2) for identification of 9 Aythya spp. Gene-specific phylogenetic trees and genetic distances among taxa reveal that ND2 is more effective than CO1 at genetic identification of diving ducks studied here. Compared with CO1, the ND2 gene tree is more statistically robust, has a minimum of 1.5 times greater genetic distance between sister clades, and resolves paraphyly in 2 clades. While CO1 is effective for identification of most bird strike cases, this study underscores the value of targeted incorporation of additional genetic markers for species identification of taxa that are known to be problematic using standard DNA barcoding

A Decade of U.S. Air Force Bat Strikes

From 1997 through 2007, 821 bat strikes were reported to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Safety Center by aircraft personnel or ground crew and sent to the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, for identification. Many samples were identified by macroscopic and or microscopic comparisons with bat specimens housed in the museum and augmented during the last 2 years by DNA analysis. Bat remains from USAF strikes during this period were received at the museum from 40 states in the United States and from 20 countries. We confirmed that 46% of the strikes were caused by bats, but we did not identify them further; we identified 5% only to the family or genus level, and 49% to the species level. Fifty-five of the 101 bat-strike samples submitted for DNA analysis have been identified to the species level. Twenty-five bat species have been recorded striking USAF planes worldwide. The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis; n = 173) is the species most commonly identified in USAF strike impacts, followed by the red bat (Lasiurus borealis; n = 83). Bat strikes peak during the spring and fall, with \u3e57% occurring from August through October; 82% of the reports that included time of strike were recorded between 2100 and 0900 hours. More than 12% of the bat strikes were reported at \u3e300 m above ground level (AGL). Although$825,000 and \u3e50% of this sum was attributable to 5 bat-strike incidents. Only 5 bats from the 10 most damaging bat strikes were identified to the species level, either because we did not receive remains with the reports or the sample was insufficient for identification

Capturing Debriefing and Enhancing Reflection within Simulated Clinical Learning Environments

This article presents findings from an evaluation of a new A3-size learner notes sheet designed for use by healthcare students engaging in clinical simulation and clinical skills sessions. The notes sheet consists of an adapted form of the SBAR (situation, background, assessment, response) tool, whilst capturing post-simulation oral debriefing provided by a facilitator. Additionally, the Driscoll (2007)model is used to provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their engagement in clinical simulation. Two cohorts of students, who engaged in separate simulation sessions, completed the A3 sheet. The study featured 33 midwifery and 21 operating department practitioner (ODP) students undertaking a simulation. Documentary analysis was undertaken to identify the depth of reflective writing of both groups of students. Midwifery student participants reflected on their experiences of simulation at a slightly deeper level than their ODP counterparts. All students adhered to the structure of the notes sheet when receiving their briefing from the facilitator and when asked to write their reflective accounts. This study has sought to explore an under-researched area of clinical simulation: the extent to which healthcare students can utilise reflection when engaging with a clinical scenario within a simulated learning environment

Prevalence and Diversity of Avian Hematozoan Parasites in Asia: A Regional Study

Tissue samples from 699 birds from three regions of Asia (Myanmar, India, and South Korea) were screened for evidence of infection by avian parasites in the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Samples were collected from November 1994 to October 2004. We identified 241 infected birds (34.0%). Base-on-sequence data for the cytochrome b gene from 221 positive samples, 34 distinct lineages of Plasmodium, and 41 of Haemoproteus were detected. Parasite diversity was highest in Myanmar followed by India and South Korea. Parasite prevalence differed among regions but not among host families. There were four lineages of Plasmodium and one of Haemoproteus shared between Myanmar and India and only one lineage of Plasmodium shared between Myanmar and South Korea. No lineages were shared between India and South Korea, although an equal number of distinct lineages were recovered from each region. Migratory birds in South Korea and India originate from two different migratory flyways; therefore cross-transmission of parasite lineages may be less likely. India and Myanmar shared more host species and habitat types compared to South Korea. Comparison between low-elevation habitat in India and Myanmar showed a difference in prevalence of haematozoans