The RobotFalcon, which has a wingspan of 70 centimeters, mimics the movements of an actual falcon. However, the report does goes on to recognize that there are also limitations with the RobotFalcon, pointing out that it needs to be steered by trained pilots, while flights cannot take place during rain or strong wind conditions and are also limited by its 15-minute battery life. “The RobotFalcon was more effective than a drone: Its success was higher, and it deterred flocks faster.”Īs for comparisons with an actual bird of prey, the authors noted that the RobotFalcon was a “practical and ethical solution” with the “advantages of live predators but without their limitations.” “It cleared fields from corvids, gulls, starlings and lapwings successfully and fast, with deterred flocks staying away for hours. “There is a need for novel methods to deter birds,” reads the report published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.”And we show that the RobotFalcon can make a major contribution to filling that niche. When compared with a drone, the RobotFalcon, which has a weight of 0.245 kilograms (around 0.5 lbs), was found to be the superior of the two, with the drone only managing to clear 80% of the birds in the same amount of time. Made from fiberglass and Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), the RobotFalcon, which has a wingspan of 70 centimeters, mimics the movements of the large and powerful falcon, and has proved to be highly effective at keeping birds away in a recently published study.Ĭontrolled from the ground, the bird has a propeller on each wing and a camera fitted on its head to allow for “first-person view while steering.”ĭuring a series of tests carried out in 2019 in the area surrounding the city of Workum in the Netherlands, the RobotFalcon managed to successfully deter all flocks from fields within five minutes of starting its flight, with 50% of the sites cleared within 70 seconds, according to Rolf Storms, one of the authors of the report. Peregrine populations crashed in 1950-1970 due to the use of pesticides, especially DDT, and it was declared an Endangered Species.RobotFalcon has been developed to help prevent bird strikes. They are said to be the fastest animal in the world, reaching speeds over 320 km/h (200 mph) or more during hunting dives. Peregrines also dive on prey from high above, striking with their feet. They take birds on the wing, usually while flying low to the ground and surprising their prey from behind as they take off. Peregrine Falcon eat mostly birds, especially flocking doves, waterfowl, songbirds, waders and pigeons. Peregrines are among the most widespread bird species in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica and on many oceanic islands. One breeding record exists for Cuba and another for Dominica. Immatures are brown above, cream-coloured with heavy brown streaks below.Īn uncommon-to-rare migratory bird, it can be found throughout the West Indies primarily from October to April in coastal areas, offshore cays and rocks, woodlands, forests and cities. When perched, its mask-like head pattern is distinctive. Pointed wings, long, narrow tail and rapid pigeon like flight identify it on the wing. It’s dark grey above and cream-colored with dark brown bars below. The Peregrine Falcon is a powerful and fast-flying large crow-size falcon.
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