Delta flight returns to Atlanta after birds hit windshield

A flight from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., made an unscheduled landing after being struck by birds, a Delta Air Lines spokesman said.

WJLA-TV Managing Editor Paul Gourley, who was on the flight, said the plane made an emergency landing after the jet's cockpit windshield was struck. He posted a picture on Twitter of the bird's remains on the windshield. In the Twitter post, he congratulated the crew members for their calmness and professionalism in getting the plane back safely. Wildlife strikes have been on the rise in recent years, partly due to increasing wildlife populations and faster and quieter aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.