I flew the 146 for some 5 years. So many bird strikes that the Ops people caled me a chick magnet, and they weren't being complementary.
In the 2 and a bit years I've flown the 717, I've only experienced one bird strike. The ports, routes, and times are constant between the two types.
I'd be interested in any theory as to why the 717 has been significantly less prone to bird strike.