New York has killed 70,000 birds since 2009 to make sure planes have a clear flight path

Shocking figures have revealed that some 70,000 birds have been killed in New York since a passenger plane landed on the Hudson River in 2009.

Official data uncovered by the Associated Press shows that birds including geese, seagulls and starlings have been slaughtered in their tens of thousands.

The majority of the culls were by shooting and trapping.

The bird-killing programmes are enforced around the city area’s three major airports – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark – in an attempt to keep the skies safer for pilots.

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However, it is not clear that the cull has worked, with two airports going from an average of 158 strikes between plane and birds in the five years before the 2009 incident to an average of 299 in the six years after it.

These figures do appear to show an increase although it could be down to a more thorough reporting of strikes.

People against the bird killings have argued that there should now be a rethink in how best to keep the skies safe.

Jeffrey Kramer, from GooseWatch NYC, said: “There has to be a long-term solution that doesn’t rely so extensively on killing birds and also keeps us safe in the sky.”

One such method touted is an improved radar system that would be able to detect large flocks of birds in the area.

U.S. Airways Flight 1549 saw two of its engines knocked out when it flew into a flock of Canada geese in January 2009.

The plane’s pilot, Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, became a national hero when he managed to guide the powerless jet into the Hudson River, saving all 155 people on board.

Of the 70,000 birds killed since the start of the programme to reduce numbers, 28,000 seagulls 16,800 European starlings, nearly 6,000 brown-headed cowbirds, 4,500 mourning doves and 1,830 Canada geese have been slaughtered.

While aircraft hit birds over New York every single day, incidents resulting in damage to a plane remain rare.

Laura Francoeur, chief wildlife biologist at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the airports, said: “We do our best to reduce the risk as much as possible.

“There’s still a lot of random chance involved.”

Top pic: Getty