Army Says Birds a Threat at Afghan Airport, Too

That U.S. Airways crash yesterday in the Hudson River highlighted a problem every pilot faces: birds. And it's even an issue in Afghanistan. Now, the Army is seeking help to rid Bagram Airfield of egrets, sparrows, plovers, waterfowl, and other birds that are disrupting operations. They say that some 15 to 30 types of birds are causing problems there. In the project just put out to bidders, the Army reports that bird strikes can reach a high of 32 in May, the month when most strikes occur. The Army suggests four ways to move the birds: falconry, guns, bird distress tapes, and fireworks.