Robotic bird decoys are being deployed at Grand Teton National Park to influence the behavior of real sage grouse and help restore a declining population.
The project uses motion-enabled replicas designed to mimic mating rituals and draw birds back to safer breeding grounds.
The effort targets sage grouse populations that have dropped sharply across the American West.
At one breeding site in Jackson Hole, male counts have fallen from 73 in 1950 to just three last year, according to a report by WyoFile.
Wildlife authorities, including the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, are also expanding data-driven tools to monitor grouse populations.
The tool analyzes annual lek activity and combines it with historical data to track population trends at both local and statewide levels.
The robotic decoys are part of a broader habitat restoration push near Jackson Hole Airport, the only airport located inside a US national park.
Aircraft activity has posed risks to the birds, with dozens killed in collisions over the years, according to park officials quoted by SFGate.
Built with a mix of realistic and improvised materials, the decoys include feathers supplied by wildlife authorities, alongside components such as foam and fabric. Some units are static, while others are motorized to replicate movement patterns seen during mating displays.
The robots are programmed to simulate lekking behavior, a courtship ritual where male grouse perform coordinated displays to attract females.
Robotics mentor Gary Duquette described the machines as “kind of a Frankenbird.”
The devices perform repetitive motion sequences and are paired with recorded mating calls to create the illusion of an active breeding ground. Duquette explained that the robots “kind of do a turn, turn, turn, then do their wing, wing, wing,” as cited by rivals.
This combination of movement and sound is intended to trigger behavioral responses in real birds, encouraging them to gather and begin mating activity in restored areas.
The approach reflects a growing use of engineered systems to influence animal behavior in conservation settings.
The project is being developed with input from local students and robotics teams, highlighting a low-cost, modular approach to field robotics. Some decoys are powered in the field and positioned strategically across restored habitat zones.
Park officials say the goal is to “jumpstart that activity” so birds begin displaying and nesting in safer locations. Because chicks are raised near these breeding sites, attracting adults could gradually rebuild local populations.
Beyond population recovery, the system is also designed to shift bird activity away from airport runways, reducing risks to both wildlife and aviation.
Restoration efforts have already converted about 100 acres of former pasture into suitable habitat, but natural recolonization has been slow.
“One of the challenges with restoration is that even when you create great habitat, wildlife doesn’t always show up right away,” a park spokesperson told SFGate.
The robotic decoys are now being tested during the current breeding season, with cameras monitoring whether real birds respond to the simulated displays.
If successful, similar systems could be deployed in other conservation projects where habitat recovery alone is not enough to attract wildlife.
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With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.
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