This is Birdnook.

One of the things airplane pilots worry about the most is birds colliding with their

planes.

Many airports resort to killing birds that might pose a threat.

But the airport in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada has found a more humane solution.

They fly a Peregrine Falcon over the grounds to chase off problem birds.

This isn't just any Peregrine Falcon.

It's a robot Falcon.

And it flies, just like the real thing.

Peregrine Falcons have sometimes been put to work chasing off wild birds.

But live raptors require lots of training and continual care, and they have minds of

their own.

The robotic Falcon, on the other hand, is under the direct control of an operator who

can target problem birds with precision.

It took a Dutch engineering company years to create a robotic Falcon that flies on wing

power alone.

They needed to work out how to replicate the Peregrine's rapid, intimidating wingstroke,

which frightens other birds.

They call their creation, robert.

And, if a robotic Falcon wasn't intimidating enough, the inventors have added a much

bigger version of robert.

To scare off large birds like geese from a runway, there is now a robotic bald eagle.

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