Birds

[RedBaron2]

I try to avoid birds whenever possible. However, sometimes you get a surprise. My only encounter was in northern Idaho along US-95. Near the end of my flight, I learned later that a black bird decided to fly under my M2P. Could not attach the video.

 

[MA2 317]

I need to find out how to load the video on here

Could not attach the video.

Create a YouTube or similar account and upload your videos there.

Copy / Paste the URL link in your post.

The link will change to a thumbnail after you post.

Pictures may be directly uploaded to the Forum, but not video.

.

 

[WilliamDaugherty]

My experience is just one person but I think it has value. I have had numerous conflicts with birds over the last decade of flying drones. Swallows were a terrible nuisance, especially in the Midwest. Never had a collision with one but it ruins any attempts at video when they are swarming. I did have a Mini3Pro knocked down by a Cooper's Hawk. I had no idea what had happened until I watched the secondary recording on the controller. Sure enough, it went through the frame once then about 5 seconds later there was a flash of talons and down it went. I was doing a recovery search in a wetland so that drone was lost. Later that same year I had bald eagles chasing me on about half a dozen occasions and it was a very unpleasant experience. That's when I tried the reflective tape. I have had no further bird issues of any kind...until two days ago when a hawk flew right toward the camera of my Mini5Pro. It is worth noting this aircraft does not yet have tape on it.

So, aircraft that I own with the tape have been bird-free for about three years while this new drone was not immune to a raptor's close attention. Is anecdotal evidence the weakest kind? Yes. Is it still evidence? Yes. Will I be adding the red prismatic tape to the Mini 5 Pro? Without a doubt.

These are the facts of my experience. While not conclusive evidence of the efficacy of prismatic tape, it seems pretty compelling to me.

 

[MS Coast]

While not conclusive evidence of the efficacy of prismatic tape, it seems pretty compelling to me.

I can offer another anecdotal data point of equally questionable value.

I've flown a dozen drones over the last several years and I've never had a bird contact my drone or threaten it, despite flying frequently in the presence of bird species ranging from curious hummingbirds and swallows to hawks, vultures, gulls, ospreys, wading birds, and the occasional Bald Eagle.

It is true that prismatic reflective tape would make it easier to spot a drone lost in a tree, tall grass, or bushes, especially when searching at night with a bright flashlight. That's easy to confirm.

 

[Peterthe1]

Hi. I think the flashing white strobe lights definitely make a difference. I fly M30's at work. These come standard with top and bottom flashing beacons. I always have the beacons on when flying and the Wedgetails and other birds of prey don't come near the drone but circle from a distance. Even crows stay away but when the lights are off the birds will have a lot more interest in the drone and get a lot closer. I think it's flashing light messes with their eyes, similar to us being blinded by a flash. Birds eyes are a lot more sensitive than ours so this constant bright flashing light may be making the difference.

 

[Rchawks]

Makes sense

 

[dajomu]

Birds are generally indifferent to drones or frightened away by them if they come too close.

I have definitely had birds attack my quadcopters dozens of times (over about 15 years of flying).

The easy ones are actively nesting birds, like swallow, kites, and some sea birds, but they give up easily when I fly away from their nests.

The more problematic birds have been raptors, such as red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and Ospresy, who seem to be defending their hunting territories. Sometimes they'll follow and dive bomb my drone for what feels like a very long time.

I too use the "climb" quickly technique to avoid getting hit. Raptors can dive, fly forward, and turn left or right very quickly, so trying to get out of their way by flying horizontally or descending is the least effective thing you can do. But they can't abruptly "pop up" as quickly as my drone. Indeed their attack training is based on the way that other birds can fly, so they aren't prepared to respond when the drone suddenly pops straight up. So my emergency technique is to quickly "pop up" out of the way, right as the bird is closing in on the drone, and then beeline it back to my location as fast as possible, descending gradually along the route, so that I can pop up again to avoid another incoming attack, if needed. Works best when you can clearly see the bird and the drone! ;-)

I tried using various types of tape to ward off birds years ago. It didn't work.

 

[MS Coast]

I have definitely had birds attack my quadcopters dozens of times (over about 15 years of flying).

The easy ones are actively nesting birds, like swallow, kites, and some sea birds, but they give up easily when I fly away from their nests.

The more problematic birds have been raptors, such as red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and Ospresy, who seem to be defending their hunting territories. Sometimes they'll follow and dive bomb my drone for what feels like a very long time.

I too use the "climb" quickly technique to avoid getting hit. Raptors can dive, fly forward, and turn left or right very quickly, so trying to get out of their way by flying horizontally or descending is the least effective thing you can do. But they can't abruptly "pop up" as quickly as my drone. Indeed their attack training is based on the way that other birds can fly, so they aren't prepared to respond when the drone suddenly pops straight up. So my emergency technique is to quickly "pop up" out of the way, right as the bird is closing in on the drone, and then beeline it back to my location as fast as possible, descending gradually along the route, so that I can pop up again to avoid another incoming attack, if needed. Works best when you can clearly see the bird and the drone! ;-)

I tried using various types of tape to ward off birds years ago. It didn't work.

How many of those 15 involved a bird contacting the drone?

 

[Rchawks]

In 6 years of flying Drones
Birds Strikes = 0
Drone Crashes = 0

 

[dajomu]

How many of those 15 involved a bird contacting the drone?

None. I attribute that to a mixture of the bird's caution and my evasive tactics.

Clearly you could speculate that the birds were just trying to scare the drone away, and would not have actually hit it if I'd just ignored them. But that's not a view I'd recommend or condone.

I've seen birds actually connect when attacking each other, so assuming they won't connect with my drone seems unfounded.

But even if there's a low risk of a collision, I consider it MY responsibility to be the grown up when these encounters arise. I'm causing the problem, and hoping the bird won't connect with the drone is not being responsible in my view.

If the bird does fly into the drone, the bird may be injured or killed, and/or the drone may be damaged and fall out of the sky, risking damage to property or people below. As a drone operator, I don't believe that I have the right to cause any of those outcomes, especially through my own bravado. I believe I have a responsibility to do my best to avoid them.

 

[MS Coast]

But even if there's a low risk of a collision, I consider it MY responsibility to be the grown up when these encounters arise. I'm causing the problem, and hoping the bird won't connect with the drone is not being responsible in my view.

If the bird does fly into the drone, the bird may be injured or killed, and/or the drone may be damaged and fall out of the sky, risking damage to property or people below. As a drone operator, I don't believe that I have the right to cause any of those outcomes, especially through my own bravado. I believe I have a responsibility to do my best to avoid them.

I agree completely, as I suspect essentially all responsible drone operators do.

 

[Rchawks]

Wholeheartedly agree with both statements. Pics posted were with Avata 2 and FPV not with bigger drone with props exposed. I was already in the air flying when they showed up.