Boids
What is it?

This project explores how the simple behaviors of individual birds combine to produce flocking. In this model, the birds obey only three rules: 1) If you are about to crash into another bird, turn around. 2) If you are far away from other birds, head towards the nearest bird. 3) Otherwise, fly in the same direction as the bird next to you.

How to Use It
Choose the number of birds that you would like with the numbirds slider. Click the setup button to reset the birds on the screen. Then click on start to start the simulation, and stop to stop the simulation.

Things to Notice

Watch how the birds start to form groups of 2, 3, 4 and more as they fly across the screen. Even though these birds were never told explicitly to form large groups, they are joining together and they sometimes look like they are following a "leader".

Explorations
 

Try to put clouds or tall buildings in the path of the birds and see if the flocks will reuninte after passing the obstacles.

Add different types of birds that will flock in different groups, by using different Starlogo breeds.

StarLogo Features

Notice the use of the min-of-turtles command that each bird uses to find it's closest neighbor.

This program also uses different shapes played in rapid succession to give the appearance of wings flapping.

 

 

We welcome your feedback and suggestions! Please send us email