Vladimir Zdravkovic

TL;DR: It is argued that a topological interaction is indispensable to maintain a flock's cohesion against the large density changes caused by external perturbations, typically predation, and supported by numerical simulations.

TL;DR: This work measured the individual three-dimensional positions in compact flocks of up to 2700 birds and investigated the main features of the flock as a whole (shape, movement, density and structure); current models and theories of collective animal behaviour can now be tested against these data.

TL;DR: 3D studies of collective animal behaviour in three dimensions with small groups highlights the difficulty of obtaining high-quality 3D data for birds and mosquito studies, where the number of animals is very low compared to natural conditions.

TL;DR: This work measured the individual three-dimensional positions in compact flocks of up to 2700 birds and investigated the main features of the flock as a whole - shape, movement, density and structure - and discusses these as emergent attributes of the grouping phenomenon.

TL;DR: The main technical problems in 3D data collection of large animal groups are reviewed and how to solve the stereoscopic correspondence - or matching - problem is explained, which was the major bottleneck of all 3D studies in the past.