![]() To coordinate movements and hence avoid collisions in moving groups, directional information has to be transferred between group members 5, 6, 7. Many bird species fly in groups, either forming highly structured V-shaped flight formations, which can provide energetic benefits 1, 2, or aggregating in dense cluster flocks to reduce predation risk 3, 4. Our study furthers the mechanistic understanding of collective motion in birds and highlights the impact interindividual vocal interactions can have on group performances in these animals. When visual information is insufficient, birds can increasingly exploit active vocal communication to avoid collisions with flock mates. ![]() We found that the finches can use both visual and acoustic cues for three-dimensional flock coordination. To test if vocalizations emitted during flocking flight are used by birds to transmit directional information between group members, we recorded vocal behaviour, head orientation and spatial position of each individual in a small flock of zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata) flying in a wind tunnel. Although theoretical models can predict the macroscopic pattern of group movements based on the relative spatial position of group members, it is poorly understood how group members exchange directional information, which enables the spatial coordination between individuals during collective motion. ![]() Animal collective motion is a natural phenomenon readily observable in various taxa. ![]()
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