Artificial intelligence could help scientists and state conservationists count waterfowl more quickly and accurately, according to a new study.

University of Missouri scientists are testing out a new way to count waterfowl — using drones and artificial intelligence.

The Missouri Department of Conservation conducts weekly surveys of waterfowl to understand how many birds are in the state and inform management practices.

Staff members do the majority of these surveys from the ground and also conduct some from airplanes. Right now, there's not really a standard practice for conducting the surveys, said Reid Viegut, migratory game bird coordinator with the department.

Site managers "all have kind of learned from each other and picked up different tricks and techniques to use to make their

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