Drones won't mix well with raptors

I wish to address the issue of drones and their potential harm to wildlife. I have great fear that many raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons) will end up dead from protecting their territories against these aerial invaders. The potential impact involved here could exceed that which DDT presented to these birds in the 1950s and '60s.

Raptors are extremely aggressive towards any flying object that enters their territory, especially when they are nesting. Small species will attack even eagles that wander in too close. I can’t imagine any raptor not attacking a drone that flew near its nest. I also can’t imagine how many of these birds wouldn’t get hurt doing so.

Most drones have multiple rotor blades that give them lift. These things are equivalent to 360 degree, horizontal guillotines that can slash like a sword. Any bird that gets cut by one of these blades would likely not survive, especially if it were hit anywhere on the foot, leg or wing. Allowing unregulated deployment of drones in landscapes where raptors nest could be catastrophic for the birds.

Currently there are tens if not hundreds of thousands of drones in the hands of private citizens. In the not too distant future, there will likely be millions. If even a small percentage of this people flew their drones within public wild lands where raptors nest, there could be dozens if not hundreds of birds killed.

Drones represent a significant, potential threat to nesting raptors that needs to be recognized and dealt with.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Drones won't mix well with raptors."