Birds

[Rchawks]

A Kestril. Were you near the nest?

Yes, apparently he thought so. I wasn’t over or near the nest at all. I have a video of it and you can see him sizing me up from a distance and came at me full throttle. I haven’t seen any of them in months.

 

[MS Coast]

This one was attacking me. View attachment 187624

Did that Kestrel make contact with the drone, or just pass nearby?

 

[Rchawks]

It did not make contact with the drone at all. But came very close several times. I was flying FPV at the time and was able to just stay out of it’s flight path. Within a few days time though this one showed up and wasn’t aggressive at all so I assume it’s not the same bird from 2 days before. Even though it’s near the same general area.

 

[Rchawks]

Here in the NT we have plenty of forktail kites that are a pain especially when you’re trying to fly a grid.
Has any anyone tried using a flashing light on the top of the body?
Regards
Gagey

I wonder about that too. I have one for flying near dusk and it’s very tough to look at while the drone is on the ground. I’m not sure if it would be effective on the birds or not during the day. Surely birds would be sensitive to bright light, I don’t know.

 

[MS Coast]

It did not make contact with the drone at all. But came very close several times. I was flying FPV at the time and was able to just stay out of it’s flight path. Within a few days time though this one showed up and wasn’t aggressive at all so I assume it’s not the same bird from 2 days before. Even though it’s near the same general area.

That's definitely not the same bird; it's a different species.

"Attack" may not be the right word for a bird simply flying close to the drone. When I'm wade fishing, sharks frequently come within 50 feet, but I would say that constituted a shark attack.

I suspect that if the Kestrel wanted to hit your drone, it would have happened.

 

[Rchawks]

I need to find out how to load the video on here because the pictures just doesn’t show the event very well. I’m sure you’re right about if a predator bird wanted to take you out it certainly could. I had fly a way insurance at the time, . If I load the video it will be in a separate post.

 

[Island Guy]

Long time rc glider flyer and I've been examined many times by bald eagles and different species of hawks. New to drones but the other day had a pair of eagles immediately appear and circle around me. I carefully descended and they departed. I try not to alarm them

 

[moldorf]

The only bird that I have to avoid are those huge turkey vultures, they just glide slowly around in circles,
until they detect something dead below.

sounds like a lawyer

 

[Rchawks]

I wouldn’t attempt anything around a Eagle at all they will take you out if inclined. Last summer there was a eagle flying directly overhead and not very high crossing in the parking lot being tormented by two small birds just above it. It didn’t seem concerned at all but it must have done wonders for those two small chattering birds egos.

 

[Rchawks]

What about porcupine quills as a deterrent, .

 

[MS Coast]

Long time rc glider flyer and I've been examined many times by bald eagles and different species of hawks. New to drones but the other day had a pair of eagles immediately appear and circle around me. I carefully descended and they departed. I try not to alarm them

When I was flying gliders in Tennessee and north Georgia, I often shared thermals with hawks, and once with an immature Bald Eagle. Those encounters were among the best moments of my time in gliders. We were always on the lookout of soaring hawks to locate thermals. They're the pros and we happily took advantage of their expertise.

My glider instructor was a wonderful older British gentleman named Derek Johnson. He was an excellent instructor who had a lasting positive effect on my flying. "Head on a swivel!" was among his best tips. Derek sometimes casually mentioned to a new pilot that hawks followed him to locate thermals. He just may have been right about that.

 

[YVRGUY]

Hey Guys,

How many of you rock reflective tape to discourage birds?....Ive only had crows/ravens check me out a few times and usually a loud whistle sent them packing.

Just curious ...all feedback is welcome

This outfit works great while droning. BTW… reflective tape does nothing

 

[Droning on and on...]

Guys, it's all about learning to fly with the birds, rather than antagonize them... become their leader!



Just to be crystal clear, this post is meant as humor, the image above was AI generated... Seriously, do not fly close to birds – anywhere.

 

[Cafguy]

Love ya Droning on and on...You have always been a very knowledgeable and responsible Pilot and as a Member I think back to the time you offered to fast ship me some FPV batteries when I bought one without, and when you left for a spell, the forum was missing something.............please take this as friendly info......

I love the idea of flying with the birds even way behind them with zoom just to follow them for a bit, I started to inquire about doing this at the RC club Here's the Bad news, and sorry really I want to do this too!!!
I got handed a brochure from the State wildlife Dept. Stating
The California Migratory Bird Treaty act and California Code of regulations title 14.s.s.251 Prohibits the following of any migratory bird species without special wildlife Dept. Permission. In other words our state wont allow you to follow a flock of birds at any distance..Its Considered harassment of wildlife in California.
I asked, and sure You can stay in one place and film them, You may even get away with passing them at a distance from a different angle, BUT Don't follow them...
Just a tip from a friend and fellow Californianite..lol...
P.S. Other States may vary.

 

[Rchawks]

This has been 100% effective for me.

 

[Rchawks]

Here’s from information from a site online.

Visual and auditory deterrents can be an effective way to keep birds away from your drone. Here are some innovative solutions:

Reflective Materials: Attach reflective materials, such as aluminum foil or reflective tape, to your drone’s body. The reflective surfaces can create a flashing effect, startling birds and keeping them at bay.

• Colorful Decals: Apply bright, contrasting decals to your drone’s body. Birds are less likely to approach a drone with striking colors, as they perceive it as a potential threat.
• Noise-Making Devices: Install noise-making devices, such as loudspeakers or sirens, on your drone. The sudden, loud noise can scare birds away.

Drone design and modifications can also play a crucial role in deterring birds. Here are some ideas:

• Streamlined Design: Opt for a streamlined drone design with minimal protrusions, making it less appealing to birds.
• Bird-Repellent Coatings: Apply bird-repellent coatings or paints to your drone’s body. These coatings often contain capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, which deters birds.
• Modified Propellers: Use propellers with serrated edges or irregular shapes, making them less appealing to birds.

I think I’d be too nervous to try aluminum foil.

 

[MS Coast]

In the past, I've posted photos of birds perched on highway signs with highly reflective surfaces and other shiny things. I just did a brief search for examples and ran across several references to the fact that some birds (crows, ravens, magpies, jays, and others) are attracted to shiny objects.

Forty or so years ago, I remember people hanging aluminum foil pie pans in fruit trees, believing that birds would be repelled. It seems that it's now understood that it doesn't work. I haven't seen any examples in quite a while.

 

[Tlaw]

Personally, in my experience, the way to get out of a bird's way is to full throttle it upwards. Birds can't fly vertical.

Had 2 Red Tails "inspect" today......did exactly that and they seemed to move along

Ironically while I was "inspecting" a roof

 

[Rchawks]

In the course of flying RC gliders for 16 years in Texas all my encounters with birds were positive and something I’ll never forget. On the slopes they love to compete with you and the faster you flew the more it got their attention and they would do the same. It was fantastic. Thermal flying as well Awesome fun.
Now here in the midwest I never had a problem with birds while flying my gliders. With drones a bit different story. But again the positive still outweighed the negative with the birds encounters using the drones. Barn swallows are a pain. Clearly the Red tail hawks can be as well. I’ve always respected nature and do my thing. If they want to join in on the fun I’m all in.

 

[Dan'sUavTech]

Here’s from information from a site online.

Visual and auditory deterrents can be an effective way to keep birds away from your drone. Here are some innovative solutions:

Reflective Materials: Attach reflective materials, such as aluminum foil or reflective tape, to your drone’s body. The reflective surfaces can create a flashing effect, startling birds and keeping them at bay.

• Colorful Decals: Apply bright, contrasting decals to your drone’s body. Birds are less likely to approach a drone with striking colors, as they perceive it as a potential threat.
• Noise-Making Devices: Install noise-making devices, such as loudspeakers or sirens, on your drone. The sudden, loud noise can scare birds away.

Drone design and modifications can also play a crucial role in deterring birds. Here are some ideas:

• Streamlined Design: Opt for a streamlined drone design with minimal protrusions, making it less appealing to birds.
• Bird-Repellent Coatings: Apply bird-repellent coatings or paints to your drone’s body. These coatings often contain capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, which deters birds.
• Modified Propellers: Use propellers with serrated edges or irregular shapes, making them less appealing to birds.

I think I’d be too nervous to try aluminum foil.

It seems that's written by AI. Unfortunately, I don't think any of those methods will work.