Interesting, almost every time I fly I attract vultures!! They get pretty close but no interactions so far, I normally land as quick as possible and let them have thier sky!
Good point A.O. We are in THEIR airspace. Birds survive by flying/ hunting/looking for food. We're just up their with our drones having fun. Absolutely, we should respect the birds, of all sizes, and leave their territories alone if they appear bothered by our drones presence. Starlings are the only birds in our area here in east Texas that have "attacted" my drone while flying. When this has happens, I know I'm near their nests. So, I leave and fly somewhere else.
That's why I laughed at the GEICO commercial where the turtles are worried about a vulture perched over them.
I am quite sure that vulture theory is true, I've been a long term glider pilot, manned and unmanned/RC. The reverse also happens to be true, LOL. One time paragliding in Argentina we soared out over the SCARIEST mountains near Bariloche and were sinking out down to a ski resort parking lot, BINGO. This huge condor was lazily circling nearby and we pounced on his thermal! He did not seem to care as he climbed right through us, show off, and wow, was that one big bird, biggest I think I've ever seen and I've flown with many.
