Blood-Covered Pilot Keeps It Together 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 midair," 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."

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.