Definition
A notice issued to alert pilots to bird activity along migration routes or in areas of high bird concentration, indicating an elevated risk of bird strikes at specific altitudes, locations, and times.
Plain English
A heads-up that lots of birds are expected in a particular area at a particular time, so pilots can plan around them or stay extra alert.
Context Anchor
Seen in NOTAM information before flight, especially when checking for hazards near airports, low-altitude routes, or areas with known bird activity.
Derivation
Formed from 'BIRD' plus 'TAM' taken from NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). The shortened ending signals it's a NOTAM-style alert specifically about birds.
Why Pilots Care
Bird strikes can damage engines, windshields, or control surfaces and have caused serious accidents; advance notice lets pilots adjust altitude or routing.
Intuition Check
Do not read BIRDTAM as just a casual bird sighting. It is an aviation notice about bird activity significant enough to matter to aircraft safety.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight planning, the pilot reviewed a BIRDTAM warning of heavy waterfowl migration along the planned low-altitude route.
Example Sentence 2
During the spring migration the FSS briefed several BIRDTAMs along the low-level route.