How birds avoid mid-air collisions: Study finds they always veer right, and the discovery could help prevent drone crashes

With the rise of drones and steadily increasing density of air-traffic, fears of collisions between both manned and unmanned craft have become far more urgent in recent years. But according to researchers, autopilot systems could learn a trick or two from nature to become much safer. In a new study, researchers in Australia investigated the ways in which pairs of budgerigars avoid collisions when flying head-on, revealing the birds always veer right to prevent a crash. In a new study, researchers in Australia investigated the ways in which pairs of budgerigars avoid collisions when flying head-on, revealing the birds always veer right to prevent a crash. In the study, the researchers observed 102 flights of 10 male budgies - but not one collision occurred.