Australian magpies exhibit increased tolerance of aircraft noise on an airport, and are more responsive to take-off than to landing noises

Abstract

Context On airports, birds often exhibit escape behaviour in response to aircraft. Avian escape behaviours can enable birds to effectively avoid collisions with aircraft, although some are maladaptive and may increase the risk of collision (e.g. erratic flying). Habituation and habituation-like processes among birds potentially mediate the likelihood of aircraft-bird collisions. Moreover, because managers exploit avian escape behaviour to reduce bird–aircraft collision risks, habituation may decrease the efficiency of bird-hazard management. Aims Our aim was to better understand avian behavioural responses to approaching aircraft, which may inform bird-hazard management. Methods We examined the response of Australian magpie, Cracticus tibicen, a species commonly involved in collisions with aircraft, to the noise associated with take-off and landing in three areas: airside, on airport but not airside, and off airport. Key results Magpies responded to aircraft noise in a nuanced way. Take-off produced more responses, and more intense responses, than did landing; both resulted in more frequent, and more intense, responses than did a ‘silent’ control. Responses were least likely, and response latencies were longer, airside, followed by on airport but not airside, and off airport. Intensity of responses was similar across these areas. Conclusions Magpies on the airside were least responsive, and this might influence their strike risk. Implications Given that most wildlife collisions occur during take-off and landing and at low altitudes, and that take-off has greatest overall strike risk, the lack of responsiveness of airside-inhabiting magpies may contribute to collision risk.