Oh Mexico City International Airport – – – Look up in the sky! Is it an airplane? No. Is it Superman? No. It’s a Bird! A bird of prey, a raptor, a falcon or hawk to be exact!
According to Mexico News Daily, raptors are being used to patrol the skies over Mexico City – seven predator birds deployed at the busiest airport in Latin America to prevent “bird strikes,” hazardous collisions between birds and planes that can have dangerous and even catastrophic consequences.
Apparently, birds of prey, such as these peregrine falcons (two of whom are named Ilse and Madison), soar in 2-hour shifts. Other birds, which could potentially cause bird strikes are scared of these predators and fly away thus avoiding a potentially hazardous collision between a plane and birds.
Furthermore:
Prior to 2014, they were allowed to swoop down and kill their prey but stricter environmental regulations mean the birds are now trained only to intimidate their prey to keep them away.
If the birds ever did feed on a protected bird species, the handlers could be fined, Flores said.
Along with the peregrine falcons are Panchito, a blue-gray aplomado falcon, and three Harris’s hawks.
On the ground, meanwhile, is yet another team helping secure the airport. Trained dogs chase birds away from the ground between runways.
Well that’s interesting . . . in a scary, creepy kind of way.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
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