delta flight 1063 took off from jfk airport thursday, it was clear something went wrong. >> delta 1063 has had an engine failure on the right engine declaring an emergency due to a bird strike. >> reporter: passengers described a loud grinding noise and smoke in the cockpit. the pilot decided to turn around. >> delta 1063, we'll clear the right. we lost our right engine due to the ingestion of birds. >> reporter: the plane landed safely. everyone was okay. [ applause ] but there was visible damage to the engine. the problem stems from spots like this, with the main culprit canada geese. this sanctuary is in the shadows of jfk airport. and wildlife biologist steve garber, who once worked for the airport, counts 300 species of birds. >> because this is such a metropolitan, built-up area, there aren't too many spots to land that look good. and if birds see other birds, it's an oasis. and naturally, they're going to land there. >> reporter: a host of things has been used from...