For the past 15 years between the months of May and September, falcons have patrolled JFK Airport, warding off smaller birds that could potentially cause major disruptions in the flight path of large airliners.

Due to budget cuts, however, the airport will dismiss its resident falconers later this year. The job of keeping one of the country's busiest hubs bird-free will soon belong to the US Department of Agriculture.

The decision has some people up in arms. The DOA’s main tactic for dealing with problem birds is through controlled shoots. That doesn’t sit well with animal rights groups.

Between 2000 and 2008, birds were to blame for 30 accidents at JFK, more than at any other airport in the country.

Source: Wall Street Journal