A multi-strategy boosted bald eagle search algorithm for global optimization and constrained engineering problems: case study on MLP classification problems

The Bald Eagle Search (BES) algorithm is an innovative population-based method inspired by the intelligent hunting behavior of bald eagles. While BES shows promise, it faces challenges such as susceptibility to local optima and imbalances between exploration and exploitation phases. To address these limitations, this paper introduces the Multi-Strategy Boosted Bald Eagle Search (MBBES) algorithm. MBBES enhances the original BES by incorporating an adaptive parameter, two distinct mutation strategies, and replacing the swoop stage with a fall stage. We rigorously evaluate MBBES against classic and improved algorithms using the CEC2014 and CEC2017 test sets. The experimental results demonstrate that MBBES significantly improves the ability to escape local optima and achieves superior convergence accuracy. Moreover, MBBES ranks first according to the Friedman test, outperforming its counterparts in solving five practical engineering problems and three MLP classification problems, underscoring its effectiveness in real-world optimization scenarios. These findings indicate that MBBES not only surpasses BES but also sets a new benchmark in optimization performance.