There are some government-funded projects that make sense, then there’s this.

US shells out $10M for unmanned aircraft that can perch like a bird

Believe it or not, this funding is not a joke.

Experts say the ability to actually fly in and perch like a bird will be one the more technically challenging aspects of the system.

One "challenging" aspect that was not noted:  Making sure the bird is built in such a manner that it has the ability to randomly poop on taxpayers as it flies by.  Some argue that has already happened.