A bird's-eye view of Wimbledon! Drone replicates flight path of hawk that is tasked with scaring away pigeons and ensuring the grass on Centre Court is always green
- Rufus has been part of the Wimbledon team since he was four-months-old
- His job is to survey the skies above SW19 and keep courts safe from birds
- New app allows users to experience a unique 360 degree view of the courts
Tennis fans wishing to experience an unparalleled view of Wimbledon can survey the skies through the eyes of the tournament’s ultimate protector – Rufus the Harris hawk.
The bird of prey has been a member of the Wimbledon team since it was four-months-old and is employed to keep all 42 acres of the competition courts safe from pigeons.
A drone has replicated the hawk's flight path and footage offering a unique 360 degree view of the famed grounds is included in a new app.
Rufus has been a member of the Wimbledon team since he was four-months-old and keeps the grounds safe
The hawk's flight path was captured with cutting-edge drone technology and a subsequent Perfect Flight app has been developed
Imogen Davis, who owns and handles the hawk, spoke to MailOnline about Rufus and discussed the role he plays at the famous lawn tennis competition.
She said: ‘Rufus is a very important member of the team at Wimbledon.
‘He works throughout the year to try and keep the eager pigeons away from eating the most perfect grass and roosting in the roof.’
Rufus is a natural hunter who looks to his owner Imogen Davis for guidance and instruction on a daily basis
Rufus took over from previous hawk Hamish and embarked on an intensive training schedule called manning
Imogen Davis (pictured) said Rufus is treated to a 'really tasty' diet and he exercises and enjoys a bath daily
‘The last thing Andy Murray needs is a pigeon-shaped interruption mid-match.’
Rufus is a natural hunter, and because hawks are one of very few birds who chose to hunt in packs, he looks at his owner for guidance on a daily basis.
However, scaring birds away is not something that Rufus finds to be particularly difficult.
The hawk's training, which takes up to 10 months to complete, is based mainly on food motivation and trust
Scaring birds is not something that Rufus finds to be particularly difficult as pigeons recognise him as a threat
‘The pigeons react with their innate sense of fight or flight,' said Ms Davis.
'When they see Rufus flying towards them, they understand that it's not a safe place for them to roost and feed.'
Rufus took over from previous hawk Hamish and embarked on an intensive training schedule called manning, before he was able to take to the sky.
The drone footage that replicates his flight path has been included in an app called The Perfect Flight.
The Perfect Flight app allows you to experience the bird's unique 360 degree view of the Wimbledon grounds
The Wimbledon guardian surveys all 42 acres of the Wimbledon grounds from its vantage point in the sky
Based mainly on food motivation and trust, the training usually takes between seven and 10 months to complete, although every hawk is different.
Ms Davis concluded: ‘Rufus has a great life – a really tasty diet, exercises daily, enjoys a bath daily and works with a fun team.
‘If he wanted to take off and do his own thing he could, but he enjoys working with us too much.’
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