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

Metadata:

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Below you will find a list and description of the files included in this data publication.

VARIABLE DESCRIPTION FILE (1)

1. \Data\_variable_descriptions.csv: Comma-separated values (CSV) file containing a list and description of variables found in all data files. (A description of these variables is also provided in the metadata below.)

Columns include:

Filename = Name of data file

Variable = Name of variable

Units = Units (if applicable)

Precision = Precision (if applicable)

Description = Description of variable



DATA FILES (2)

1. \Data\Duttenhefner_Klug_Corr_Data.csv: CSV file containing data for comparing counts of blackbird flocks foraging in commercial sunflower. Data include both the automated estimate and the mean of 20 biologist estimates of 60 unique photos collected using drones. This file can be used with the provided R code (\Supplements\Duttenhefner_Klug_2025_WJO.R) to analyze the results as reported in Duttenhefner and Klug (2025).

Variables include:

photo_id = Unique identification number for each photo

video_length = Length of video recording from the start of hazing to the end (minutes:seconds)

automated_estimation = Number of birds estimated by the automated method (i.e., ImageJ; count)

mean_bio_estimation = Mean number of birds estimated by 20 biologists (i.e., count)


2. \Data\Duttenhefner_Klug_LMM_Data.csv: CSV file containing data for comparing counts of blackbird flocks foraging in commercial sunflower. Data include both the automated estimate and 20 separate biologist estimates of 60 unique photos collected using drones.

Variables include:

photo_id = Unique identification number for each photo

photo_order = Order in which the photo was provided in the Google Form (i.e., 1 = first, 2 = second, etc.) and the same order provided in Duttenhefner_Klug_drone_images.pdf

biologist_id = Unique identification number for each biologist

experience = Self-reported number of years of previous experience estimating flock size

biologist_estimation = Number of birds estimated by a biologist observer (count)

automated_estimation = Number of birds estimated by the automated method (i.e., ImageJ; count)



SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (2)

1. \Supplements\Duttenhefner_Klug_2025_WJO.R: Text file containing R code. This code can be used with the provided data files to replicate results step by step as they appear in Duttenhefner and Klug (2025).

2. \Supplements\Duttenhefner_Klug_drone_images.pdf: Portable Document Format file containing the 60 unique drone images referenced in this study.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

Duttenhefner, Jessica L.; Klug, Page E. 2025. Observer estimation accuracy from drone-based imagery influenced by size of blackbird flocks foraging in sunflower. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.1080/15594491.2024.2444028

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20250312

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Research Center

Contact_Person: Page Klug

Contact_Position: Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 4101 LaPorte Ave.

City: Fort Collins

State_or_Province: CO

Postal_Code: 80521

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 701-630-3776

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: page.e.klug@usda.gov

Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of original publication date. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999