How to measure speed of an animal

Question

Hi,

What can I use to measure the speed of ducks in the wild? How would I measure the distance it moved without scaring away the animal?

Thank you for any suggestions!

Answer 1

Hi Vivien.

I love the question:

How to measure speed of an animal

What can I use to measure the speed of ducks in the wild? How would I measure the distance it moved without scaring away the animal?

I see two questions. Let's look at how to measure speed first.

There are actually lots of different ways to do this. So I will give you one old school (not many tools needed and less expensive, but requires more of your time) way and then something modern (costs more but easier to execute).

In either case, you should choose a specific area to work within (a meadow, a pond...), and maybe drive some stakes into the ground to set your boundaries. You will also want to explore the terrain before hand and take some measurements on basic landmarks. Pictures will help.

Old School:

1. Pick a spot where you know you will be able to observe ducks.
2. Drive a stake into the ground so you know your point of origin. Call it Point A.
3. Pick two objects in the distance, like two trees (Points B and C. This will be your flight path, and you will only measure ducks using this flight path.
4. Measure, or use your triangle geometry (Triangle ABC) to calculate, the length of the flight path (from Point B to Point C).
5. Observe some ducks. Time how long it take ducks to fly from Point B to Point C. You could do this step with a video camera (best choice), or you could be there watching birds with a stopwatch in your hand (waaay old school!).
6. Do the math: x feet / y seconds = z feet per second. convert to other units (miles/hour) as needed.

Modern:

1. Use Google to search "radar speed gun with camera".
2. Click the Shopping tab, do your research.
3. Choose your weapon. There are speed guns, like the Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun for as little as $99.
4. Pick your observation spot as for the old school method.
5. When a duck flies within your speed gun's measuring range, take your speed measurement.

You also asked about measuring the distance an animal traveled. If by that you mean a meadering path, like when ducks or geese feed on the ground or are on the water, it can also be done.

I would take the modern method here:

1. Define your observation area, measuring landmarks, etc... as for the speed observations.
2. Use a stationary camera (video or still camera attached to a tree or use a hovering drone) to record the animal's movement over x amount of time.
3. Use still shots to take your measurements of distance traveled

I do hope that you get a chance to try some of these ideas. Good luck!