Even smaller birds, such as starlings, can cause engine failure. The greater the difference in the speed of the plane and the bird, the greater the force of the impact on the aircraft. The weight of the bird is also a factor, but the speed difference is a much bigger factor.

Yes, birds can and do cause significant damage to aircraft engines, a phenomenon known as a "Bird Strike." While modern jet engines are incredibly robust and undergo "ingestion testing" where they are blasted with "chicken cannons" to ensure they can survive small impacts, a large bird (like a Canada Goose) or a flock of birds can cause a catastrophic failure. When a bird enters the engine, the high-speed fan blades can shatter or bend, leading to a "compressor stall" or a total engine flameout. This was famously demonstrated during the "Miracle on the Hudson" in 2009, where both engines of an Airbus A320 were disabled by a flock of geese. To combat this, airports utilize "Bird Hazard Management" programs, including the use of sirens, lasers, trained hawks, and even border collies to keep avian populations away from runways. While most bird strikes result in minor dents or "engine-out" scenarios where the plane can still land safely on one engine, the risk of structural or mechanical destruction is high enough that it remains a top priority for aviation safety engineers globally.