A robotic hawk has been flying above strawberry farms in Moreton Bay as growers in Bellmere battle flocks of lorikeets and corellas that can wipe out thousands of dollars’ worth of fruit in just days.
The drone, known as RoBird, sweeps low across the fields like a bird of prey, sending nuisance birds scattering above one of Australia’s largest strawberry-growing regions.
The trial began in Bellmere in May through a partnership involving Hort Innovation, Canadian drone company AERIUM Analytics and the City of Moreton Bay.
Photo Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied
For local growers, the problem has become hard to ignore.
During overcast weather, large flocks of birds descend on ripe strawberry fields and tear through fruit faster than workers can pick it. Farms near trees and bushland are often hit the hardest.
At TSL Family Farms in Bellmere, which operates under the Taste’n’See strawberry brand, growers have spent years trying to protect crops from repeated bird attacks. Some weeks bring losses that climb well into the tens of thousands.
According to the City of Moreton Bay, farms in the region can lose between $50,000 and $200,000 worth of strawberries within a single week during severe bird activity. This pressure lands heavily in a region where strawberries are a major part of the local economy.
Moreton Bay Plays Major Role in Australia’s Strawberry Supply
Moreton Bay produces about one in every four punnets of strawberries sold in Australia, with farms across Bellmere, Caboolture and surrounding districts supplying fruit to supermarkets across the country.
Photo Credit: Supplied
The region’s strawberry industry contributes around $100 million annually and supports growers, seasonal workers, transport operators and local businesses tied to the harvest season. But protecting the fruit has become increasingly difficult.
Growers have long relied on gas cannons, reflective tape and noise deterrents to keep birds away. Many say the methods lose effectiveness once birds become used to them. Some systems have also caused frustration for nearby residents because of the noise during harvesting periods. This has driven interest in newer technology that can protect crops without harming wildlife.
A Drone Designed to Think Like a Predator
Unlike a standard farm drone, the RoBird is built to imitate the movement of a hunting raptor. The aircraft glides, circles and dives above strawberry rows in ways designed to trigger a natural fear response from pest birds. Instead of simply making noise, the drone attempts to convince birds that a predator is actively hunting nearby.
Earlier Australian trials reported by AERIUM Analytics showed strong reductions in bird activity and fruit damage after repeated flights over crops. Researchers involved in the project say the goal is to create a long-term deterrent rather than a short-term scare tactic.
The Bellmere demonstrations drew growers and berry industry representatives from across the region, including members of Berries Australia, who attended field trials to observe how the drone performed above local farms.
Farmers Hope for Relief Before Peak Season
Even small reductions in crop damage could make a major difference during harvest season. Rising labour costs, unpredictable weather and tighter profit margins have already placed pressure on Queensland strawberry farms in recent years. Losing trays of fruit to birds only adds to the challenge.
Drivers travelling through Bellmere during the growing season may now spot the dark-winged drone circling low above the paddocks while workers move through rows beneath it.
The national RoBird project is expected to continue until 2028 as researchers monitor how birds respond over longer periods and across different growing conditions.
Photo Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied
Whether the robotic hawk becomes a permanent part of farming in Moreton Bay is still unknown. But for growers watching birds descend on valuable crops each season, the trial is giving the region a new option at a time when many say traditional methods are no longer enough.
Published 26-May-2026
Featured Image Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied
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