Comment on 'A physics perspective on collective animal behavior' 2022Phys. Biol.19 021004.

In his insightful and timely review Ouellette (2022Phys. Biol.19021004) noted three theoretical impediments to progress in understanding and modelling collective animal behavior. Here through novel analyses and by drawing on the latest research I show how these obstacles can be either overcome or negated. I suggest ways in which recent advances in the physics of collective behavior provide significant biological information.