Oxford May Music Festival: "The Symphony of Flocks: Collective Behaviour in Birds"

Birds flying together create one of nature’s most compelling orchestrations – a symphony of flocks in motion. My research examines how individual birds coordinate their flight dynamics within groups, blending biomechanics, physiology and collective behaviour to reveal the emergent rhythms of avian ensembles. Using homing pigeons and other species as model systems, we investigate how group members compromise on speed and spacing to maintain cohesion, navigating complex landscapes while balancing aerodynamic costs and social benefits. High-resolution biologging and GPS tracking show that birds adjust flap frequency, flock density and route choices in response to environmental context, suggesting dynamic negotiation within the flock. Beyond the iconic energy-saving V-formation, cluster-flocking raises intriguing questions about trade-offs between energetic cost and collective decision-making. This research not only deciphers the mechanics of group flight, but highlights how simple local interactions can coalesce into coordinated, adaptive global patterns – much like musicians listening and responding to one another in an ensemble.