Birds that flock together are given specific names depending on the species. This helps identify different groups of birds in nature and in literature. Many people are curious about the various terms used to describe flocks of birds.
What do you call a group of birds?
There are many different terms used to describe groups of birds, depending on the species. Some common terms include:
- A flock of geese
- A murmuration of starlings
- A skein of geese
- A deceit of lapwings
- A kettle of hawks or vultures
The specific names given to groups of birds can get quite creative and descriptive. They often focus on the behaviors, patterns, or traits of that particular species when they gather together. Knowing the special names for bird groups can make it easier to identify different types of birds when you see them in the wild.
Why are there special names for groups of birds?
There are a few key reasons why unique names developed for flocks of birds:
- To differentiate between species – The terms help distinguish between groups of birds that may look similar to an untrained eye. For example, you can identify a “raft” of ducks versus a “pod” of pelicans.
- Describe behaviors and patterns – Many terms focus on how the birds move or congregate, like a “murmuration” of starlings swooping and swirling together.
- Reflect personalities – Some names are more descriptive of species’ traits or reputations, like a “conspiracy” of ravens since they are considered cunning birds.
- Origins in literature – Certain terms like a “parliament” of owls were coined by famous writers and texts.
- Make language more vivid – Having special names creates more vibrant descriptions when talking about groups of birds.
So the specific names help create visual images and convey deeper meaning related to different bird species when gathered in groups.
What are some common terms for flocks of birds?
Some of the most common special names used for groups of birds include:
Waterfowl and Shorebirds
- A raft of ducks
- A paddling of ducks
- A brace of ducks
- A flock of geese
- A gaggle of geese
- A skein of geese
- A herd of swans
- A wedge of swans
- A mustering of storks
- A siege of herons
- A semicircle of pelicans
- A pod of pelicans
- A colony of penguins
- A rookery of penguins
- A flotilla of grebes
- A stand of flamingos
Birds of Prey
- A kettle of hawks or vultures
- A cast of hawks
- A bolt of hawks
- A bowl of owls
- A parliament of owls
- A wisdom of owls
- A wake of buzzards
- A hover of kestrels
- A deceit of lapwings
Perching Birds and Songbirds
- A host of sparrows
- A quarrel of sparrows
- A charm of finches
- An exaltation of larks
- A flight of swallows
- A sign of crossbills
- A band of jays
- A party of jays
- A scold of jays
- A watch of nightingales
- A spring of teal
- A descent of woodpeckers
- A congregation of thrushes
Crows, Ravens, Rooks and Jackdaws
- A murder of crows
- A horde of crows
- A storytelling of ravens
- A conspiracy of ravens
- A train of jackdaws
- A clattering of jackdaws
- A parliament of rooks
- A building of rooks
- A caucus of rooks
Gulls, Terns and Skimmers
- A colony of gulls
- A screech of gulls
- A squabble of gulls
- A fleet of terns
- A committee of terns
- A congregation of skimmers
These are just some of the more colorful and interesting examples of special names used for flocks of birds. There are terms for many other species from eagles to blackbirds to waxwings.
What are some origins of these bird flock names?
The interesting and unique names given to groups of birds come from a variety of origins:
- Descriptive terms – Based on traits like a “hover” of kestrels hovering while hunting or a “scold” of jays for their noisy behavior.
- Behavioral names – Focused on patterns like a “murmuration” of starlings swarming or a “deceit” of lapwings pretending injury to divert predators.
- Collective nouns – Generic terms like a “flock” of geese or a “colony” of gulls that can apply to multiple species.
- Appearance – Names like a “raft” of ducks on the water or a “brace” of ducks for two.
- Mythology and folklore – Some terms reflect cultural myths surrounding certain species, like a “parliament” of wise old owls.
- Literature and poetry – Writers like Shakespeare coined phrases like a “murder” of crows that caught on.
- Habitat – Names relating to habitat like a “rookery” of penguins at breeding colonies.
- Hunting – Falconry terms like a “cast” of hawks or a “bolt” of hawks reflect the sport’s history.
These origins help explain how imaginative names took hold for specific bird species over time, making the terms colorful and memorable.
Why do some birds have strange or dark flock names?
Some bird flock names have darker or more strange connotations, which typically come from a few sources:
- Threats from predators – Terms like a “deceit” of lapwings focus on protective behaviors against predators.
- Tendency to eat dead animals – Scavenging birds like crows got names like “murder” due to their presence around dead things.
- Connection to bad omens – Ravens have mythical ties to death, so a “conspiracy” of ravens implies dark plotting.
- Aggressive or noisy habits – Gulls are called a “screech” or “squabble” due to their loud, quarrelsome groups.
- Sneaky or cunning reputations – Sly birds like starlings earned descriptive terms such as a “murmuration” for their swirling masses.
- Unusual or supernatural depictions – Owls’ nocturnal habits led to mythical terms like a “parliament” of owls.
Overall, darker flock names tend to arise from species’ traits and behaviors that humans find more sinister, unsettling, or confounding. But this also makes the names more vivid and memorable in many cases.
Do all types of birds have special names for groups?
Most species of birds have specific terms to describe their flocks or groups. However, there are a few exceptions:
- Some very rare or exotic species do not have set terms, especially if they do not flock in large numbers.
- Many pet bird species like parrots or cockatiels do not have agreed upon flock names.
- Extinct species like the dodo no longer require terms to describe their flocks.
- Cryptid or rumored birds like thunderbirds do not have official names yet.
- Little studied species may not have widely recognized group terms.
- Most baby birds and juvenile flocks are simply referred to as “broods” or “clutches.”
However, even these types of birds may earn more descriptive flock names over time once more knowledge is gained about their behaviors and numbers in groups increase. So newer names are still emerging through popular culture and natural studies.
Conclusion
The special names used for flocks of birds add color and vivid imagery when describing different species gathered together. While generic terms like “flock” or “colony” can apply to many birds, the specific descriptors for each species’ groups reflect behaviors, appearances, habitats, histories, and personalities in a poetic way. These unique turns of phrase help enrich language, recalling times when people lived closer to nature and birdlife. So a murder of crows or charm of finches invites us to appreciate the intricacies of birds a little more deeply.