what animal is a drone

A drone is most commonly a male bee , especially a male honey bee. In everyday speech, it can also mean a remote-controlled or autonomous flying device.

Quick Scoop

For the bee meaning, the best match is:

• Drone = male honey bee.

• It does not collect nectar or pollen.

• Its main role is mating with the queen.

For the tech meaning:

• Drone = unmanned aircraft.

• People use it for photography, delivery, surveying, and more.

Why the word is confusing

The word has two common meanings because the older animal sense came first, then the machine sense borrowed it later.

So if someone asks “what animal is a drone,” the answer is usually a bee.

TL;DR

Animal: male honey bee.

Machine: unmanned flying device.