Bird attacks

ruggb · Dec 15, 2018

Has anyone experimented with decals, googly eyes, or scare tape as a deterent?

dronerdave · Dec 15, 2018

I really think it depends on the birds. I've had Osprey dive on me and seagulls have swarmed around my mavic. Swallows go nuts around it too. I fly with a friend who went with an orange skin and still has the same issues. I almost always fly with strobes and still have bird issues from time to time. There are several posts if you search.
Skin's to prevent bird attacks?

DagDerniT · Dec 16, 2018

I had hummingbirds and crows chasing after mine until I covered with holographic skin. Took a hour or so to install and get any bubbles out. Also, use a hairdryer on the edges and it will look perfect and you won't have any problems with it peeling.

jaysrmc · Dec 16, 2018

DagDerniT said:
I had hummingbirds and crows chasing after mine until I covered with holographic skin. Took a hour or so. to install and get any bubble out. Still

where did you purchase this skin?

DagDerniT · Dec 16, 2018

jaysrmc said:
where did you purchase this skin?

I ordered it from Titan Drones.

Here is a pic of everything covered...

Koelkop · Dec 16, 2018

I have flown 188 hours with my mp up till now. I have only had doves and swallows follow me around but its more curiosity than anything else. Crows gets out of dodge. Geese and ducks dont seems to give a dam. I have come across a Fish eagle once and it also got out of dodge. I do not really worry that much about birds.

Eagles seem to be the only ones that might go for a drone if you google bird attacks but then again it does not seem very frequent.

mereflyer · Dec 16, 2018

This sort of thing happens often. Luckily no strike yet!
My method is loose altitude fast!

ruggb · Dec 16, 2018

Looks like you have some ceiling left. It would be better climbing since the bird can probably outpace a drone diving, wouldn't it?

mereflyer · Dec 17, 2018

ruggb said:
Looks like you have some ceiling left. It would be better climbing since the bird can probably outpace a drone diving, wouldn't it?

I just did what seemed at the time to be the best thing - it worked! and no - the birds did not follow my very rapid rate of descent

RadioFlyerMan · Dec 17, 2018

My strategy for avoidance (if I actually detect a bird) is to climb. I don't know of any bird that can sustain a vertical climb at over 9 mph, but they certainly can descend at 6.5 mph. Secondly, most birds (except the big predatory birds) don't like to stick around at 400 ft.

The most I've ever had was a raven show interest in a low altitude flyby. However, just wait until spring when they get territorial. I'll get hit someday.

ruggb · Dec 17, 2018

I have googly eyes on the top front and rear and Firehouse dual LED strobes top & bottom. I haven't found the cut holo at Titan Drones - but I found a 20cm x 152cm roll for $7.84 Might be worth it to buy a cheap decal set for $7. and use it as a template to cut this.
Those strobe will probably blind them so the won't even see the eyes. Guess I will test what I have.

packnrat · Dec 18, 2018

Not had a problem...yet.

But what about a very loud noise maker? Aka: a .22 cabiler rim fire blank cap?
Bird gets close a pop goes the cap. Scare it away? this is with other avoidance measures taken.

ruggb · Dec 18, 2018

great idea - just need to buy a handgun, get a concealed carry permit, drawing more attention from the police responding to shots fired, and risk being shot when they respond to "GUN!". M80s would be a little safer for the pilot, I suppose.

packnrat · Dec 18, 2018

Never said “gun”

Just a pop cap. No barrel.
Only a chamber, firing pin, set up.
Not possible to shoot anything with this, it is only a noise maker.
But how would the drone handle it?