An EMB170 had multiple bird strikes at 2;200 FT during climb out. With no apparent anomalies;a return to departure airport for an overweight landing was made. Four bird impact sites were found after arriving at the gate.

Narrative

We had multiple bird strikes at approximately 2;200 FT during our initial climb out. The gear was up; climb power and heading (360) were selected and the flaps were [at the takeoff setting]. The First Officer was still hand flying the airplane. We both saw and heard (impact) of several medium to large sized birds. After the event we informed Departure Control that we had a bird strike and would need to return to the field and asked to level at 4;000 FT. The First Officer called to raise the flaps and asked for the autopilot. I declared an emergency but stated that everything was operating normally as far as we could tell. We programmed the FMS; input landing speeds; reviewed the QRH for an overweight landing and ran the Climb and Descent checklist. Two calls were made throughout the course of the flight to the cabin crew and two passenger PA's were made. We asked departure to change our landing runway to the longer runway; accommodating our overweight landing. I took the controls for landing and swapped to pilot flying about twenty miles from touchdown. The approach was normal with no discernible difference in engine characteristics or flight controls. We landed approximately 4;000 LBS overweight. There were emergency vehicles standing by and we declared that we didn't need assistance after exiting the runway with normal operating conditions. After getting to the gate and deplaning; bird strike damage was found on the nose; vertical stabilizer; engine one leading edge; and aircraft left fuselage. I asked Crew Scheduling as well as the Chief Pilot that the First Officer and I be relieved from duty and advised the cabin crew that they were to make the decision to keep flying or be relieved themselves and that there would absolutely not be any punitive actions. Crew Scheduling and the Chief Pilot were in agreement and accommodating and a fresh crew was brought in to continue our pairing.There is nothing we as pilots can do to avoid bird strikes. What made me feel happy with our response was our CRM and our efficient division of duties. The First Officer did an excellent job of flying; taking care of tasks quickly but carefully; and offering solutions I hadn't thought of. We both knew who was flying the airplane and who was doing what at all times. ATC was excellent also; we got everything we asked for. This was a success.