Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Environment - Non Weather Related
We were at 7;000 ft and 210 knots at night and a bit more than 20 miles from [destination]. I saw a quick flash of what I could make out to be a number of birds; as they passed through the beam of the landing light; just a millisecond before they hit. We felt the impact but was only a small vibration. Immediately after the impact; we got a Duct Mon Fault and Anti-Ice Fault message. The Captain called the flight attendants right away; so that they knew what had happened. However; we did not inform ATC; as there was no issue with the aircraft and we figured it was too far out to be an airport hazard to other aircraft. Upon landing the Captain called maintenance and we both went out to look at the damage. It was at this point that we realized the damage was quite extensive; with multiple impacts along the wing and wing root.The threat was that the damage could have been worse and had a possible effect on the aerodynamics as we slowed.This was not a preventable situation but in the future; if it happen again; I will inform ATC. This way they have the information and may use it however they wish. Also; it may be good in this situation in the future; to ask the flight attendant; if they can see any damage to the wings; so that we can better evaluate the extent of the damage.
[We believe the type of birds to be] migratory geese.
CRJ-700 flight crew reported damage to the left wing from an encounter with migratory geese at 7;000 ft.