Publication

Modeling Bird Flight Formations Using Diffusion Adaptation

Ali H. Sayed
2011
Journal paper
Abstract

Flocks of birds self-organize into V-formations when they need to travel long distances. It has been shown that this formation allows the birds to save energy, by taking advantage of the upwash generated by the neighboring birds. In this work we use a model for the upwash generated by a flying bird, and show that a flock of birds can self-organize into a V-formation if every bird were to process spatial and network information through an adaptive diffusive process. The diffusion algorithm requires the birds to obtain measurements of the upwash, and also to use information from neighboring birds. The result has interesting implications. First, a simple diffusion algorithm can account for self-organization in birds. The algorithm is fully distributed and runs in real time. Second, according to the model, that birds can self-organize based on the upwash generated by the other birds. Third, that some form of information sharing among birds is necessary to achieve flight formation. We also propose a modification to the algorithm that allows birds to organize into a U-formation, starting from a V-formation. We show that this type of formation leads to an equalization effect, where every bird in the flock observes approximately the same upwash.

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Related concepts (33)
V formation
A V formation is a symmetric V- or chevron-shaped flight formation. In nature, it occurs among geese, swans, ducks, and other migratory birds, improving their energy efficiency, while in human aviation, it is used mostly in military aviation, air shows, and occasionally commercial aviation. Flying in the V formation is proven to improve energy efficiency. Usually, large birds fly in this formation since smaller birds create more complex wind currents that are hard for the back to take advantage of.
Bird
Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (ˈeɪviːz), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight skeleton. Birds live worldwide and range in size from the bee hummingbird to the common ostrich. There are about ten thousand living species, more than half of which are passerine, or "perching" birds.
Bird flight
Bird flight is the primary mode of locomotion used by most bird species in which birds take off and fly. Flight assists birds with feeding, breeding, avoiding predators, and migrating. Bird flight is one of the most complex forms of locomotion in the animal kingdom. Each facet of this type of motion, including hovering, taking off, and landing, involves many complex movements. As different bird species adapted over millions of years through evolution for specific environments, prey, predators, and other needs, they developed specializations in their wings, and acquired different forms of flight.
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