Conservation Letter: The Use of Drones in Raptor Research

Abstract

Drones are increasingly used as tools to facilitate wildlife research and conservation. The use of drones in raptor research has the potential to benefit conservation and management through improved knowledge of nesting, productivity, hazards, diet, etc. However, drones may also pose risks to raptors at nest sites, potentially leading to reduced reproductive rates. This Conservation Letter provides an overview of actual and potential impacts on and benefits when using drones to study raptors and concludes by highlighting lessons learned and potential guidelines for use. This letter is not intended as an exhaustive literature review. Rather, the intent of the Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) in publishing this letter is to provide readers with enough evidence-based examples that readers can appreciate the scope and prevalence of raptor interactions with drones and understand the potential effects as well as the challenges associated with addressing these effects across regions and species.