A bird in the wing ...
Fifty years ago a highly experienced ex-WW2 pilot was killed when his Turbulent (VW engine, home build) crashed on the muddy shores of Strangford Lough in Co. Down, a major bird sanctuary. It was concluded that he had collided head-on with a herring gull.
A similar bird was hit by an Aztec shortly after takeoff and drove the leading edge almost to the spar. We washed it out but I still remember the fearful smell when stripping it out three warm July days later. Dangerous creatures, birds.