Skip to content

XP BirdState

XP BirdState is a native plugin for X-Plane 12 that places flocks of 120 bird species according to region, season, terrain, and weather. Birds also appear at runways, and strikes are logged without damaging the aircraft. The plugin officially supports Linux.

Background

  • Developer: Vito Jackson (Isar Simworks, Munich)
  • Website: isarsimworks.de
  • License: Paid, personal serial key (checked offline, no internet connection needed)
  • Platforms: Windows 10/11 (64-bit), Linux (64-bit) — macOS is not supported
  • Compatibility: X-Plane 12
  • Dependencies: None (no XPPython3 or other plugins)

Features

  • 120 species: Each with its own 3D model, plumage, flight style, and formation; selection by 24 world regions and the month, including migration and seasonal plumage
  • Landscape, time of day, weather: Water, coast, lowland, and mountains are read from the X-Plane terrain; in the morning and evening geese and crows fly to their roosts, and far fewer birds fly in rain and fog
  • Formations and mass flocks: V formations, thermal soaring, hovering kestrels, and starling murmurations with thousands of birds at low CPU cost
  • Landing and resting: Flocks settle on meadows, shores, or water and take off when the aircraft approaches
  • Birds at the runways: Runways are read from X-Plane's airport data, with custom scenery taking priority
  • Map display: Every flock appears on the X-Plane map with species, number, altitude, and bird-strike risk (green, yellow, red)
  • Bird-strike log: Hits are logged with impact location, altitude, speed, and estimated bird mass — the aircraft is not damaged
  • Controls: In-sim window and a WebUI in any browser, also on a tablet or phone

The optional SayIntentions.AI connection (bird warnings from AI ATC, bird-strike reports) is Windows only.

Value in Flight Simulation

Birds are part of real airport operations, yet in the simulator they are mostly decoration. XP BirdState ties them to region, season, terrain, and runways, so a low approach or a departure in the evening looks and feels different depending on the place. The bird-strike log and the risk colouring on the map add an operational aspect without damaging the aircraft. X-Plane's built-in birds are hidden while the plugin is active, so nothing flies twice.

Installation

Purchase and download: isarsimworks.de

XP BirdState is a native plugin and is installed like any other plugin into Resources/plugins/. The package contains builds for Windows and Linux plus a manual in German and English. Without a valid serial key no birds are shown.

Linux Notes

The Linux build was not tested for this page. Platform support and the install layout follow the developer's specification.

Sources