New Mexico Tech’s Mostafa Hassanlian’s “zombie duck drones” were developed for wildlife research. They'd also look at home in a decoy spread.

Researchers in New Mexico are developing bird-like drones using deceased birds. These drones aim to observe wildlife without causing disturbance. The drones mimic the appearance and movements of real birds.

The zombie drones are expected to aid wildlife monitoring as they could be blended into a natural environment.

They researchers used parts from taxidermied pheasants and mallards to create flapping-wing drones and swimming robots.