Observer and automated estimation data from drone-based imagery of blackbird flocks foraging in commercial sunflower

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) US Department of Agriculture; US Forest Service

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
NWRC-RDS-2024-005.zip application/zip 11.6 MB 05/30/2026 01:24:PM
NWRC-RDS-2024-005_Metadata_Fileindex.zip application/zip 14.5 KB 05/30/2026 01:24:PM
catalog_detail.pdf application/pdf 108 KB 05/30/2026 11:27:PM
file_index.pdf application/pdf 65.4 KB 05/30/2026 01:24:PM
metadata.pdf application/pdf 165.9 KB 05/30/2026 01:24:PM

Project Citation: 

US Department of Agriculture, and US Forest Service. Observer and automated estimation data from drone-based imagery of blackbird flocks foraging in commercial sunflower. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2026-05-31. https://doi.org/10.3886/E248791V1

Project Description

Project Title:  View help for Project Title Observer and automated estimation data from drone-based imagery of blackbird flocks foraging in commercial sunflower
Summary:  View help for Summary We used drones to capture images of mixed-species blackbird (Icteridae) flocks damaging sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in North Dakota. Images consisted of an airborne flock with a sky background, creating a strong color contrast for automated bird detection and counting. We analyzed imagery from 60 flights using ImageJ and obtained automated counts. We also asked 20 biologists, ranging from 0-25 years of self-reported experience, to provide estimates for all 60 images in a single sitting. They were asked to make quick estimates (5-10 seconds per photo), to count birds within the sky background, and to zoom in on photos when needed. Photos were randomly ordered and all biologists were given photos in the same order. This study was implemented between September 2021 through October 2022 in multiple counties in North Dakota, USA where blackbird damage to sunflowers is prevalent. This data publication contains the data and R code used to analyze these data as well as the 60 drone images.
Original Distribution URL:  View help for Original Distribution URL https://www.fs.usda.gov/rds/archive/catalog/NWRC-RDS-2024-005

Scope of Project

Subject Terms:  View help for Subject Terms biota; Ecology; Ecosystems; Environment; Wildlife (or Fauna); Birds; automated counts; drone; Icteridae; ImageJ; monitoring; observer error; UAS; unoccupied aircraft system; North Dakota
Geographic Coverage:  View help for Geographic Coverage North Dakota
Time Period(s):  View help for Time Period(s) 9/1/2021 – 10/1/2022
Data Type(s):  View help for Data Type(s) program source code
Collection Notes:  View help for Collection Notes DOI: https://doi.org/10.2737/NWRC-RDS-2024-005 Authors: Duttenhefner, Jessica L. ; Klug, Page E. Publication year: 2025 (Downloaded 2026-05-30)


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