Improved deterrence of birds using an artificial predator, the RobotFalcon

Storms, Rolf F.; Carere, Claudio; Musters, Robert; Gasteren, Hans van; Verhulst, Simon; Hemelrijk, Charlotte K.

doi:10.1101/2022.05.18.492297

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…We used our new measurement of deviation of a collective turn from parallel-paths and equal-radii to analyse trajectories of homing pigeons (Columba livia) using GPS data of flocks under attack by an artificial predator, the RobotFalcon (Storms et al, 2022a). During the field experiments, small (8-10 individuals) and large (30-34 individuals) flocks were released to start their homing route, with the remotely-controlled robotic predator pursuing and attacking the flock until it leaves the study site (Sankey et al, 2021).…”

Section: Empirical Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Collective turns are a major method by which flocks of birds respond to predators (Papadopoulou et al, 2022b;Storms et al, 2022b). It is observed in many bird species, from small flocks of crows and homing pigeons to large flocks of jackdaws and starlings, and across many ecological contexts, during foraging and mobbing (Ling et al, 2019c), roosting (circling around roost) (Ballerini et al, 2008a;Yomosa et al, 2015), and evading predators (Papadopoulou et al, 2022a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diffusion during collective turns in bird flocks under predation

2023

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Moving in groups offers animals protection against predation. When under attack, grouped individuals often turn collectively to evade a predator, which sometimes makes them rapidly change their relative positions in the group. In bird flocks in particular, the quick reshuffling of flock members confuses the predator, challenging its targeting of a single individual. This confusion is considered to be greater when the internal structure of the group changes faster (i.e. the ‘diffusion’ of the group is higher). Diffusion may increase when individual birds turn collectively with equal radii (same angular velocity) but not when individuals keep their paths parallel (by adjusting their speed). However, how diffusion depends on individual behaviour is not well known. When under attack, grouping individuals change the way they interact with each other, referred to as ‘alarmed coordination’ (e.g., increase their reaction frequency or their cohesion tendency), but the effect of such changes on collective turning is unknown. Here, we aimed to gain an understanding of the dynamics of collective turning in bird flocks. First, to investigate the relation between alarmed coordination and flock diffusion, we developed an agent-based model of bird flocks. Second, to test how diffusion relates to collective turns with equal-radii and parallel-paths, we developed a metric of the deviation from these two types. Third, we studied collective turning under predation empirically, by analysing the GPS trajectories of pigeons in small flocks pursued by a RobotFalcon. As a measure of diffusion, we used the instability of neighbours: the rate with which the closest neighbours of a flock member are changing. In our simulations, we showed that this instability increases with group size, reaction frequency, topological range, and cohesion tendency and that the relation between instability of neighbours and the deviation from the two turning types depends in often counter-intuitive ways on these coordination specifics. Empirically, we showed that pigeons turn collectively with less diffusion than starlings and that their collective turns are in between those with equal-radii and parallel-paths. Overall, our work provides a framework for studying collective turning across species.

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Section: Empirical Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion during collective turns in bird flocks under predation

2023

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“…Whether patterns of collective escape differ among species is not yet known; given the unpredictability and rarity of predator attacks, as well as the difficulty of simultaneously tracking both predator and prey, studying collective escape in the field is challenging. Complete trajectories of airborne birds in flocks under predation have only recently been collected with a newly developed, remotely controlled robotic-falcon (referred to as ‘RobotFalcon’ [45]) attacking flocks of homing pigeons ( Columba livia ) [46]. In the present study, we combine these quantitative data [46] with a species-specific computational model (HoPE—Homing Pigeons Escape, [47]) to investigate what behavioural rules underlie the patterns of collective escape in pigeons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergence of splits and collective turns in pigeon flocks under predation

et al. 2022

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Complex patterns of collective behaviour may emerge through self-organization, from local interactions among individuals in a group. To understand what behavioural rules underlie these patterns, computational models are often necessary. These rules have not yet been systematically studied for bird flocks under predation. Here, we study airborne flocks of homing pigeons attacked by a robotic falcon, combining empirical data with a species-specific computational model of collective escape. By analysing GPS trajectories of flocking individuals, we identify two new patterns of collective escape: early splits and collective turns, occurring even at large distances from the predator. To examine their formation, we extend an agent-based model of pigeons with a ‘discrete’ escape manoeuvre by a single initiator, namely a sudden turn interrupting the continuous coordinated motion of the group. Both splits and collective turns emerge from this rule. Their relative frequency depends on the angular velocity and position of the initiator in the flock: sharp turns by individuals at the periphery lead to more splits than collective turns. We confirm this association in the empirical data. Our study highlights the importance of discrete and uncoordinated manoeuvres in the collective escape of bird flocks and advocates the systematic study of their patterns across species.

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Deterrence of birds with an artificial predator, the RobotFalcon

Storms

Carere

Musters³

et al. 2022

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Collisions between birds and airplanes can damage aircrafts, resulting in delays and cancellation of flights, costing the international civil aviation industry more than 1.4 billion US dollars annually. Driving away birds is therefore crucial, but the effectiveness of current deterrence methods is limited. Live avian predators can be an effective deterrent, because potential prey will not habituate to them, but live predators cannot be controlled entirely. Thus, there is an urgent need for new deterrence methods. We developed the RobotFalcon, a device modelled after the peregrine falcon, and tested its effectiveness to deter flocks of corvids, gulls, starlings and lapwings. We compared its effectiveness with that of a drone, and of conventional methods routinely applied at a military airbase. The RobotFalcon scared away bird flocks from fields immediately, and these fields subsequently remained free of bird flocks for hours. The RobotFalcon outperformed the drone and the best conventional method at the airbase (distress calls). Importantly, there was no evidence that bird flocks habituated to the RobotFalcon over the course of the fieldwork. We conclude that the RobotFalcon is a practical and ethical solution to drive away bird flocks with all advantages of live predators but without their limitations.

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Improved deterrence of birds using an artificial predator, the RobotFalcon

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

Diffusion during collective turns in bird flocks under predation

Diffusion during collective turns in bird flocks under predation

Emergence of splits and collective turns in pigeon flocks under predation

Deterrence of birds with an artificial predator, the RobotFalcon

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