Compact, Consumer Off the Shelf Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (COTS-RPAS) in Observing Haliastur indus, the Kali, or Brahminy Kites

Abstract

The paper demonstrates how compact consumer off the shelf remotely piloted aircraft systems (COTS-RPAS) with digital zoom capability is an effective remote sensing platform in observing Brahminy Kites due to its non-intimidating nature, which arguably minimizes disturbance of the kites. The paper through this remote sensing platform was able to conduct preliminary documentation of some key courtship, play, cooperative fishing, and other behaviors of the raptors as well as draft a distribution map of sightings within the raptors range utilizing the compact COTS-RPAS in tandem with Geographic Information Systems. Use of COTS-RPAS opens a new window or point of view (POV) to avian observational and behavioral studies especially because we are now given horizontal near orthogonal and orthogonal views of the avian species while in flight. Most documentation of birds in flight typically show the underwing and underbody parts but now with the aid of COTS-RPAS we see the upper wing and upper body while in flight. This new tool and method also democratize environmental research for both scientists and citizen scientists due to its availability (consumer off-the-shelf), as well as its relative affordability.