CAPA Concept of Operations

CAPA Instructional Video
(Downloading right click save target as)

Feather Identification Lab, Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Feather ID Lab Interview

Guidelines for Collecting Birdstrike Remains for Species Identification

General Information for Collecting Birdstrike Material

2025 USDA Overseas Shipping Permit

Strike, Snarge, and Safety: Your Guide to Wildlife Strike Reporting video

Avian Influenza

Updated 6 Feb 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5) viruses, to include the H5N1 virus, have been active throughout the world for many years.  This is why the BASH Team and other federal agencies require that all bird remains shipped to the Smithsonian from any overseas location are accompanied by three mandatory documents – Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Treatment, and the current annual APHIS Permit for Overseas Shipment of Wildlife Strike Remains. 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5) viruses have been detected in the U.S. wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry and backyard or hobbyist flocks beginning in January 2022.  These are the first detections of HPAI A (H5) viruses in the U.S. since 2016.  Testing completed on some virus specimens shows these viruses are HPAI A (H5N1) viruses. 

According to the Smithsonian, these H5 outbreaks have been happening with more frequency in birds in recent years.  The chances of humans getting infected is very low and so far, only a few cases of this flu have been detected in humans who have been in close proximity to domestic flocks.  We continue to monitor the situation.  In the meantime, standard PPE is recommended, as always, for handling bird remains.  For increased protection, use alcohol-based handwipes to sample bird remains.  The chances of getting this from dead birds is extremely low. 

CDC influenza (flu) surveillance systems show no indicators of unusual influenza activity in people, including avian influenza A (H5N1).  CDC continues to assess that the current H5N1 bird flu risk to the general public remains low.  For up-to-date information on H5N1 please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html.

Dr. Carla Dove (Smithsonian Institution Feather ID Lab)

Daniel Sullivan (USAF BASH Team Chief)

FAA
USDA
Smithsonian Natural History
Bird Strike USA
Bird Strike Canada

Using NEXRAD (WSR-88D) Weather Radars to track the movements of birds, AHAS represents the most comprehensive method of remote sensing of birds today. These radars were originally built to track storm cells and chart precipitation returns. They are currently also being used to keep planes away from birds. The system removes weather and aircraft from the radar returns in order to extract and display only biological targets.AHAS uses the radars to monitor bird activity in near real-time to increase flight crew awareness and planning capabilities. AHAS is the dynamic version of the BAM and is available online. Coverage includes the entire continental United States and Alaska.

Avian Hazard Advisory System
Avian Hazard Advisory System Tutorial

Bird hazard information for Europe

BIRDTAM, an elaborate bird monitoring system has been developed and is being used by Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands to generate bird strike risk intensity levels. The bird strike risk intensity levels range from 0 (nil bird strike risk) to 8 (extremely great bird strike risk). Aircrews flying over Central Europe, to include Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and The Netherlands should consult the DOD NOTAM website during flight planning.
view website

BIRDTAMS 0-3 correspond to Bird Watch Condition LOW, 4-6 to MODERATE, and 7-8 to SEVERE.

For more information on BIRDTAM, contact USAFE/SEF