Bird Attack

DonB · Dec 20, 2016

With a minute of takeoff today I had a huge hawk eyeing my Mavic, anyone ever have a bird attack their drone?

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owlhouse · Dec 20, 2016

Yes, I used to fly rc helis and a number of people (including myself) had hawks go after our smaller sized helis.

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dewster · Dec 20, 2016

It happens all the time. It may be why some drones just fall out of the sky when flying beyond visual range. Small birds are very territorial and aggressive. I don't know how many times I've been chased. Just remember Sport mode. Maintain speed when flying over trees to avoid being targeted. The Mavic seems able to take a hit without shutting off motors.

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Syphon · Dec 20, 2016

I had a flock of birds playing with my drone during a flight...they kept flying around in a big circle right through the drone. It was pretty scary, I just flew out of the area until they calmed down.

I have had hawks watch the drone around my house and start flying around it. I normally just bring it back home quickly and land it.

CactusJackSlade · Dec 20, 2016

... and as the spring comes around and territorial birds start invoking their instincts watch out.... they can take you out! (and you can injure them)

rabidhyena · Dec 21, 2016

I had a flock of green parrots harassing me last week - in London!

DroneBoyInc. · Dec 21, 2016

Here in New Zealand it's generally seagulls, I've had 20+ at times, dive bombing and squawking at the drone, but that's all they do. When i use the inspire I just ignore them, even aim for them if they're getting on my nerves but with the smaller drones mavic & p4 (my mavic was stolen at the weekend) I generally try to avoid confrontation, mainly because the blades aren't as powerful as the inspire. However, magpies will kill themselves trying to attack the drone, so for that fact, unless it's a seagull, get it to safety!

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E92Vancouver · Dec 21, 2016

DonB said:
With a minute of takeoff today I had a huge hawk eyeing my Mavic, anyone ever have a bird attack their drone?

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Happens to me all the time. Put it into sport mode and fly full speed changing directions often. The birds freak out at how powerful your bird is and become subservient to the superior beast.

scalci · Dec 21, 2016

Yes, it is happening at almost every flight with me. Seagulls dive to it.... What I do, I get altitude quick... then they leave the Mavic alone

Mako79 · Dec 21, 2016

DroneBoyInc. said:
Here in New Zealand it's generally seagulls, I've had 20+ at times, dive bombing and squawking at the drone, but that's all they do. When i use the inspire I just ignore them, even aim for them if they're getting on my nerves but with the smaller drones mavic & p4 (my mavic was stolen at the weekend) I generally try to avoid confrontation, mainly because the blades aren't as powerful as the inspire. However, magpies will kill themselves trying to attack the drone, so for that fact, unless it's a seagull, get it to safety!

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Flapping seagulls.. steal chips and mavics.

Lee Hughes · Dec 21, 2016

Wonder if a wrap that made the mavic look like a bird of prey would help. Perhaps loud colors as well?

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Wacker2611 · Dec 21, 2016

Lee Hughes said:
Wonder if a wrap that made the mavic look like a bird of prey would help. Perhaps loud colors as well?

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Orange works well, apparently. But as others have said, while it might seem counterintuitive, your best option is left stick to the max. They'll soon realise who's boss.

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wifideath · Dec 22, 2016

Seagulls attack mine when im in the harbor

Eyeinthesky33 · Dec 22, 2016

I wanna try and put a horn on mine like this guys quad.

voxelman · Dec 24, 2016

I wonder if there is a generally accepted "It's cool I'm just flying through" call? Of course this might only work with smaller birds. Bigger birds may consider it meal call.

bschaub · Dec 25, 2016

Seagull took a P4 out in Bodega Bay, CA. Fortunately, it crash onto a fishing boat in the harbor. Needed new camera, gimbal and 1/2 shell.

J-Dub · Dec 25, 2016

Let's see some video.

bschaub · Dec 25, 2016

J-Dub said:
Let's see some video.

It was a over a year ago and there is no video showing the bird. It flew down from the top. There was blood on the prop. It was a group of gulls. The attack was right at the end of my flight along the boats in the morning fog.

Butterpuff 6 · Dec 25, 2016

bschaub said:
Seagull took a P4 out in Bodega Bay, CA. Fortunately, it crash onto a fishing boat in the harbor. Needed new camera, gimbal and 1/2 shell.

Seagulls seem to love going after Phantoms. It might be because they're white and kind of look like another seagull that "ain't quite right."

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