Boaz Loya
- @biocontech
- | Mr.
College of African Wildlife Management Mweka
Hi mates, I have a proposed project of using a thermal drone (DJI Mavic 3TA) to survey the population of invasive Indian house crows (Corvus splendens) in the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions, Tanzania. The species is highly invasive, spreading fast and roosting and nesting in human-dominated habitats as one of the strong amplifiers for its spread and invasion. If there are some experiences from you, I would like to get that piece of advice.
- Is there any comment on the use of this drone (DJI MAVIC 3TA)? is it suitable for my study?
- The study is set in urban areas, particularly large towns; what factors should be considered in the study design? and of course, if one has done it for the crows or related, one could get some feedback on how they respond to drones, i.e., attacking, etc.
- How will the image analysis be? do i need to have a separate AI program?
20 November 2025 2:41pm
Hi Boaz
This is a fascinating idea for drone thermal research application. I have not heard of thermal drones being used for this specific type of work before. There are a number of things that would need to be considered, I will answer the listed items you have above as well as some follow up questions for you to help me understand the project possibilities a bit more:
- Not to my knowledge. Why have you decided on thermal specifically? Are you looking at counting nests, eggs, birds themselves? How do you plan to use the tech for this study?
- Urban environments are considered high heat radiation zones because of the infrastructure and bare ground, so this will have an affect on how you use the thermal and how effective it will be depending on how you want to use it in the study. Urban areas can retain heat long after dark as well. You will need to have your drone licensing for urban flights in place too, ensure that you are legally allowed to fly the drone in the study site as most urban environments require certain legal requirements. In general, birds don't like drones and the presence of a drone will certainly alter their natural behaviour, especially if you are intending to fly often. I have yet to see or hear of a crow taking out a drone, but it is certainly possible, especially with a drone that size. So flight planning will be important here.
- Not necessarily, it depends on what you want from the data. I refer to 1. again in terms of what are you trying to achieve, how are you thinking of using the drone for this survey? Are you intending to map with the drone or use video data? Also where do the birds nest, or where do they roost? This will determine how you are going to use the drone depending on what it is that you want to get out of the data which again comes back to, what are you looking for?
If you can provide a bit more info, there may be a way use the tech for your project.
Sean Hill