How does it feel to be struck by a bird

Recently, journalist and author Irene S. Levine was on an Air Canada Airbus A319 flying from Vancouver, BC to Newark, NJ when her plane was hit by a bird. Shortly after takeoff, she was startled by a thump, which was later revealed to be a bird strike on the wing near her seat. The crew returned to Vancouver without incident. For more on her story, including a photo of the damage, check out her article What Air Travelers Should Know About Bird Strikes.