Flock of birds on NORAD radar cause White House to lock down

White House placed on lockdown, fighter jets scrambled

The White House was locked down and the U.S. Capitol and its office buildings were briefly evacuated Tuesday amid concerns about a small aircraft that violated restricted airspace in the area.

The evacuations were ordered as a precaution and lasted about half an hour.

According to WJLA, however, it wasn't an airplane but rather a flock of birds that put the nation's capital on alert.

The jets that were sent to intercept what was first thought of as a plane, never found an aircraft.

The U.S. Secret Service said personnel at the White House were told to remain in place. That precaution was later lifted as well.

Capitol Police sent a notification of a potential threat shortly after 8:30 a.m., and the evacuations were ordered. People were allowed back in after about 30 minutes.

Jet aircraft were scrambled in response to the incident.