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This Java applet is a flocking behaviour simulator that you can download to your PC:

http://www.lalena.com/AI/Flock/

"Flocking / swarming behaviors are an example of emergent behaviors, where complex global behavior can arise from the interaction of simple local rules". The bird in front is not a leader. It just happens to end up there. Another one will constantly replace the leader. In other words, the flock is organized without an organizer.

These rules are:

1.Avoid bumping into other individuals.

2. Move in the average direction that those closest to you are heading.

3.Move toward the average position of those closest to you.

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Here is an excellant simulator/screen saver called Cool School that you can download. It models a school of fish and predators using behavioural modeling [In other words it uses local rules]

~ you can change the parameters [I've not used this small program for years, but I do believe it works on all modern MS Windows]

http://www.kewlschool.com/

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The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins ~ He writes about the flocking of starlings ~ their remarkable aerobatics results from each bird following a simple set of LOCAL RULES in a similar way to say water’s wetness

Dawkins mentions Dylan Winter's video of the flocking behaviour of the Starlings of Otmoor. Watch it & be amazed & humbled.Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH-groCeKbE

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For a very good discussion of Swarm Intelligence ~ read this wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swarm_intelligence

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Michael

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