Parrot SA is laying off a third of its staff because margins on its consumer drones were insufficient to deliver profitable growth. That's a remarkable statement from the company that pioneered cheap consumer drones in 2009 and now focuses on those priced between $100 and $500. Almost 60% of Parrot's revenue is from drones. There are two reasons for Parrot's woes. First, it's withering under the competitive onslaught from China's DJI, the undisputed king of non-military drones.