Which bird species was involved in the incident following takeoff from LaGuardia involving a flock of geese?

• A. Mallards
• B. Pigeons
• C. Canada Geese
• D. Seagulls

Answer: (C)

Large birds in flight pose a high risk to aircraft during takeoff, especially when they form flocks. The LaGuardia incident is the famous case where Canada geese were struck shortly after liftoff, causing loss of thrust on both engines and forcing an emergency water landing on the Hudson River. Canada geese are large and heavy, so even a small number can cause serious damage if ingested by engines, which is why they stand out as the bird involved in this event. The other birds listed—mallards, pigeons, and seagulls—can also be risky near airports, but they were not the birds involved in this particular incident.