The detection and identification of birds in flight, using coherent and noncoherent radars

Abstract

The monitoring of bird movements and flight characteristics by radar can contribute to an understanding of radar clutter and bird migration, can help to alleviate the hazard of collisions between birds and aircraft, and may constitute a useful form of environmental monitoring. Most conventional surveillance radars can detect birds readily but are very much limited in their ability to identify birds. The recording of amplitude and Doppler signatures, however, may allow identification as to size and type and has the potential for increasing knowledge concerning bird flight.