Wide-eyed glare scares raptors: From laboratory evidence to applied management

Abstract

Raptors are one of the most important causes of fatalities due to their collisions with aircrafts as well as being the main victims of collisions with constructions. They are difficult to deter because they are not influenced by other airspace users or ground predators. Because vision is the primary sensory mode of many diurnal raptors, we evaluated the reactions of captive raptors to a “superstimulus” (a “paradoxical effect whereby animals show greater responsiveness to an exaggerated stimulus than to the natural stimulus”) that combined an “eye shape” stimulus (as many species have an aversion for this type of stimulus) and a looming movement (LE). This looming stimulus mimics an impending collision and induces avoidance in a wide range of species. In captivity, raptors showed a clear aversion for this LE stimulus. We then tested it in a real life setting: at an airport where raptors are abundant. This study is the first to show the efficiency of a visual non-invasive repellent system developed on the basis of both captive and field studies. This system deterred birds of prey and corvids through aversion, and did not induce habituation. These findings suggest applications for human security as well as bird conservation, and further research on avian visual perception and sensitivity to signals.

A Runway Safety System Based on Vertically Oriented Stereovision

“…Since the year 2015, pulsing light at 2 Hz in the landing light system has been recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and successfully used in airplanes and helicopters as a tool, allowing a substantial drop in bird collisions [ 59 ]. The other solution mounted in airports near the runway is large screens displaying a specific visual sight [ 60 ].…”

Evaluating potential effects of solar power facilities on wildlife from an animal behavior perspective

“…As evidenced by our research and those of others (Agha et al, 2020;Conkling, Loss, Diffendorfer, Duerr, & Katzner, 2020), more studies about the potential impacts of solar facilities on wildlife are needed to develop solutions. Documented efforts to deter wildlife from solar power facilities and other human-made structures include acoustic (Arnett et al, 2013;May, Reitan, Bevanger, Lorentsen, & Nygård, 2015;Swaddle, Moseley, Hinders, & Smith, 2016), visual (Martin, 2011;Goller, Blackwell, DeVault, Baumhardt, & Fernández-Juricic, 2018;Hausberger, Boigné, Lesimple, Belin, & Henry, 2018), and tactile deterrents (Ho, 2016;Seamans, Martin, & Belant, 2013). Evaluation of the effectiveness of such deterrents, however, is often limited or inconclusive (e.g., Dorey, Dickey, & Walker, 2019), and may not address why individuals are attracted to the facilities or collide with facility structures in the first place.…”

Buoys with looming eyes deter seaducks and could potentially reduce seabird bycatch in gillnets

“…a natural state of paralysis) [ 31 ]. Moreover, a looming eye stimulus displayed on LED screens has been shown to be effective in deterring birds of prey and corvids from airports without signs of habituation [ 32 ]. We, therefore, included these features in our prototype device to reduce habituation and enhance deterrence from seabirds in high-risk bycatch zones.…”