Back in late September, Air Canada Jazz pilot Alex Toporowski was preparing for a ferry flight out of Vancouver’s airport, when a Great Blue Heron collided with his aircraft.

“As I hit the brakes I watched as the bird went up and it hit the leading edge of the wing and bounced up and over. Its big, awkward body as it went tumbling over top,” said Toporowski.

Toporowski says he was traveling around 60 km per hour when the bird made impact and that it left a ‘feathery and oily’ imprint on the wing. Out of concern for the Heron, which are a rare species in the province, the longtime pilot called Wildlife Rescue and was told that the Heron was somehow still alive.

“We heard it still had its wings, and its legs, and it was just a little bit dazed, and they said they were going to take it to the Burnaby Wildlife Association to begin its rehabilitation.”

“Hit by a plane, and it was alive, we were expecting severe injuries,” said Linda Bokker, co-executive director of the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC. 

The Wildlife Rescue Association says the bird had suffered an eye injury, some scratches, bruises and a suspected concussion.

“It made a remarkable recovery, actually bounced back really quick, was standing on it’s feet the next day and was flying around as well,” said Bokker.

Just seven days after being hit with the help of the medical staff at Wildlife Rescue, the Heron was released back into the wild.

“Definitely a beautiful full circle moment, cause that’s probably the first bird I’ve heard of that survived a bird strike,” said Toporowski.

After a full recovery and a return to the skies, the pilot has just one hope for the Great Blue Heron.

“I can only hope the bird stays away from airports going forward.”