Video: Pilot Stays Calm After Giant Bird Crashes Through Cockpit

An Ecuadorian pilot experienced a terrifying moment when an enormous bird crashed straight through his cockpit window, bloodying him up in the process. But thankfully, he lived to tell the tale by keeping a cool head through the ordeal.

The pilot, Ariel Valiente, captured video from the scene just moments after the bird hit his craft. In the 12-second clip, the bird's feet can be seen dangling over his lap, before he turns the camera onto himself, covered in blood.

"In Vinces, Los Ríos province of Ecuador, a huge bird struck through the windshield of a crop duster plane mid-air," tweeted the aviation news outlet FL360aero. "Fortunately, the pilot Ariel Valiente managed to control the situation."

Ecuadorian journalist Carlos Vera had previously shared the video, noting that Valiente's "helmet and self control saved him."

Warning, the video is graphic.

Capitán Ariel Valiente,hoy en Vinces. Lo que puede hacer un pájaro contra el parabrisas. El casco y su autocontrol lo salvaron… pic.twitter.com/UYE3m3yhRL

— Carlos Vera (@CarlosVerareal) June 14, 2023

The bird has not been formally identified, but many on social media suggested that it might have been an Andean Condor; a giant Cathartid vulture native to parts of western South America. With a wingspan of up to 10 feet, it's considered to be both the largest flying bird and the largest bird of prey in the world.

It certainly makes sense that only a bird of that size could break through the reinforced glass of an aircraft window.

As the New York Post points out, one of the first things pilots learn in flight training is "aviate, navigate, communicate," which means to first fly the plane in the event of an emergency, then to navigate and to speak with air-traffic control when the situation is under control. Clearly, this pilot took his lessons seriously.