What happens when you introduce a drone to nature?

Christopher Schmidt of Cambridge, Massachusetts, found out a few days ago after flying a four-propeller drone into a hawk’s territory.

We’re not sure if it was looking for a meal or just wanted to take the buzzing machine out, but either way the footage is spectacular.

But this isn’t the only time angry birds (the actual creatures, not the game) have made for some interesting video footage…

Hawk Defends Its Nest

Another instance of a drone getting a bit too close for comfort. This large raptor took exception when this drone owner decided to pay his nest a visit.

Seagull Steals a GoPro

Before the allegedly faked Seagull vs. GoPro video from San Francisco, this apparently genuine one was uploaded by Lukas Karasek.

“A seagull stole my video camera in Cannes, France,” wrote Lukas. “I found it on the castle wall, where I had to climb.”

Pelican Learns to Fly

In this rather more intentional video, the staff at Greystoke Mahale in Tanzania attached a GoPro to the bill of a pelican they’d rescued while he was learning to fly.

The results are pretty stunning.

Hunting with Eagles in Mongolia

These guys attached a GoPro to the back of a golden eagle, birds which are used for hunting in the Altai Mountains on the Mongolia/Kazakhstan border.

A Bird’s Eye View of Paris

In an awesome publicity campaign for their conservation-focussed film “Freedom”, the film-makers took their tame White Tailed Eagle Victor and let him loose over Paris.

The air-noise might be annoying, but it’s worth watching until 0.55 when Victor plunges towards the ground at what they claim are speeds of over 180 km/h!

Apparently the idea behind the film is to raise awareness of these birds, and fight for their re-introduction in France after they were made nearly extinct in the early 20th century.

You can donate to the project here, and check out more of Victor’s videos here. This one showing him flying over Chamonix is especially stunning…

And of Chamonix

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