Advancements in Flapping Wing Drone Technology and Wildlife Observation Via Taxidermy

This paper presents the development of a biomimetic drone engineered to reduce ecological disturbance during wildlife monitoring. Conventional drones, despite their capabilities in stability, endurance, and maneuverability, often introduce visual and acoustic cues that alter natural animal behavior. To mitigate these effects, a flapping-wing drone was designed using the taxidermied body of an adult male Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), enabling naturalistic appearance, improved environmental blending, and more realistic flight dynamics. The resulting platform demonstrates a promising approach for low-disturbance aerial observation in sensitive wildlife habitats.