40+ Bird Group Names: Collective Nouns for Birds

While a group of birds is generally called a flock, many species have their own specific and colorful collective nouns. The name can sometimes reflect the birds’ behavior, appearance, or historical folklore

Various groups of birds have specific names, known as collective nouns, such as
a “murder” of crows, a “gaggle” of geese, and a “murmuration” of starlings. Other examples include a “parliament” of owls, a “colony” of penguins, a “bevy” of quail, and a “flock” for many common birds like sparrows or swallows

Collective Nouns for Groups of Various Birds

Here is a cleaned and consolidated list of common collective nouns (group names) used for various types of birds, with duplicates removed:

• Crows: A murder, mob, or horde
• Geese: A gaggle (on ground), skein or wedge (in flight)
• Owls: A parliament
• Starlings: A murmuration
• Finches: A charm
• Ravens: An unkindness or conspiracy
• Peacocks: An ostentation or muster
• Flamingos: A flamboyance or stand
• Eagles: A convocation or aerie
• Herons: A siege or sedge
• Vultures: A kettle (circling), wake (feeding)
• Magpies: A tidings, mischief, or gulp
• Ducks: A paddling, raft, brace, or bunch
• Quail: A bevy or covey
• Larks: An exaltation or ascension
• Jays: A party, band, or scold
• Chickens: A brood, peep, or clutch
• Woodpeckers: A descent
• Turkeys: A rafter, gobble, gang, or posse
• Lapwings: A deceit
• Penguins: A colony, rookery, crèche, huddle, or parcel
• Doves: A dule, piteousness, dole, flight, or cote
• Hawks: A cast (on ground), kettle (riding thermal), or aerie
• Swallows: A flight or gulp
• Snipe: A wisp or walk
• Swans: A wedge, team, lamentation, bank, bevy, drift, or eyrar
• Nightingales: A watch
• Sparrows: A host, quarrel, or ubiquity
• Parrots: A company or pandemonium
• Storks: A muster or mustering
• Bitterns: A sedge or siege
• Cormorants: A flight or gulp
• Pigeons: A kit, flight, or dropping
• Grouse: A covey, pack, or brood
• Pheasants: A bouquet, nye, nide, or nest

These collective nouns not only provide specific and often poetic terms for bird groups but also sometimes reflect behavioral or physical characteristics observed in those species. This rich vocabulary enhances the experience of observing and discussing birds in groups.

A Murder, Mob, or Horde of Crows

A group of crows is most famously called a “murder,” a term that dates back to medieval Europe, likely inspired by folklore and superstition associating crows with death or misfortune. The term evokes imagery of dark, ominous gatherings witnessed on battlefields or near carrion. Besides “murder,” crows are also gathered as a “mob” or “horde,” reflecting their aggressive and protective social behavior, especially when defending territory or food sources. These collective nouns highlight their intelligence, social complexity, and sometimes eerie presence in the natural world.

A Gaggle, Skein, or Wedge of Geese

Geese have different group names based on their activity. When on the ground or water, they are called a “gaggle,” which often refers to an informal, noisy gathering. In flight, their V-shaped formation is called a “skein” or “wedge,” minimizing wind resistance and aiding long-distance migration. These terms reflect the geese’s behavior and coordination—”gaggle” captures rest or feeding groups’ social nature, while “skein” or “wedge” celebrates their aerodynamic flight formation. Together, these names emphasize both the social and migratory aspects of geese.

A Parliament of Owls

A group of owls is poetically named a “parliament,” a term that reflects owls’ longstanding association with wisdom and knowledge. This connection dates to ancient mythology, where the owl symbolized Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. The “parliament” suggests a formal assembly or council, echoing the thoughtful, watchful appearance of owls and their silent, calculated behavior. While rarely seen in large groups, the collective noun resonates culturally as owls are universally admired for their intelligence and mysterious nocturnal habits, making “parliament” a fitting and evocative descriptor.

A Murmuration of Starlings

A murmuration is a mesmerizing collective noun for a flock of starlings performing coordinated, swirling aerial displays. These murmurations involve thousands of birds moving fluidly in near-perfect synchrony, creating dynamic shapes that appear to ripple across the sky. This behavior acts as a defense mechanism, confusing predators while allowing starlings to communicate and coordinate. The term “murmuration” is inspired both by the sound of many wings beating and the soft murmur-like appearance of the movement. It captures the grace, complexity, and unity of these communal displays, making it one of the most enchanting bird group names.

A Charm of Finches

Finches, small and colorful songbirds, form groups called a “charm,” a term reflecting their delicate beauty and harmonious nature. Finches are often seen gathering socially during feeding or migration, where their melodic songs add charm to natural settings. This collective noun highlights the aesthetic and joyful qualities associated with finches, symbolizing the pleasing effects of their presence both visually and audibly. The word “charm” aptly captures the enchanting effect this colourful and cheerful bird family has on birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.

An Unkindness or Conspiracy of Ravens

Ravens, large and intelligent birds closely related to crows, gather in groups called an “unkindness” or “conspiracy.” These names likely stem from superstitions and folklore that cast ravens in a dark, ominous light due to their scavenging behavior and association with death or witchcraft. Despite this grim label, ravens are highly social and clever, capable of cooperative problem-solving and complex communication. The collective nouns emphasize their mysterious aura and the eerie feeling their large, black flocks can evoke, making “unkindness” and “conspiracy” some of the most evocative bird group names.

An Ostentation or Muster of Peacocks

Peacocks, known for their extravagant plumage, are grouped as an “ostentation” or “muster.” An “ostentation” perfectly describes their flashy display of tail feathers used to attract mates, highlighting their flamboyance and showiness. A “muster” refers to an assembled group, often emphasizing peacocks gathering together, especially during courtship or social interactions. Both terms underscore the peacock’s majestic and proud demeanor, as these birds are famous for their striking appearance and theatrical rituals, making their collective nouns apt reflections of their natural behaviors and appearance.

A Flamboyance or Stand of Flamingos

Flamingos form large, striking groups known as a “flamboyance” or a “stand.” “Flamboyance” reflects their bright pink coloration and the dramatic, synchronized movements they perform, especially during feeding or mating rituals. This term captures the spectacle and vibrancy of flamingo gatherings, reinforcing their reputation as one of nature’s most visually impressive birds. A “stand” refers more simply to a group standing together, often in shallow waters. Both names evoke the social and ornamental aspects of flamingos’ group behavior, illuminating their iconic status in birdwatching and wildlife imagery.

A Convocation or Aerie of Eagles

Eagles, powerful birds of prey, form groups called a “convocation” or “aerie.” A “convocation” implies a formal assembly, fitting for these majestic hunters often seen gathering around abundant feeding sites or during migration. An “aerie” refers to an eagle’s nest, usually built high on cliffs or tall trees, and is alternatively used to describe groups near nesting areas. These terms emphasize the grandeur, nobility, and territoriality of eagles, reflecting their prominence in cultural symbolism as emblems of strength and freedom.

A Siege or Sedge of Herons

Herons, long-legged wading birds, form groups called a “siege” or “sedge.” The term “siege” likely refers to their slow, deliberate movements and the way they can seem to surround fishing areas or wetlands, similar to a military siege. “Sedge” connects herons to their natural habitat—marshy, grass-like sedge wetlands where they hunt and nest. Both collective nouns highlight herons’ stately presence and their habitat preferences. These names poetically capture their elegant hunting style and close association with water-edge environments.

A Kettle or Wake of Vultures

A group of vultures in flight is called a “kettle,” a term inspired by the way they soar in large, swirling circles similar to steam rising from a boiling kettle. This behavior helps vultures to conserve energy by riding thermal air currents. When feeding together on carrion, vultures form a “wake,” symbolizing their scavenging role in ecosystems and the association of their gathering with death or decay. Both terms highlight different behaviors—aerial soaring versus feeding—and reflect vultures’ social yet specialized nature as important clean-up birds in the environment.

A Tidings, Mischief, or Gulp of Magpies

Magpies are social, vocal birds gathered in groups known as a “tidings,” “mischief,” or “gulp.” “Tidings” evokes their noisy calls and mythological role as bearers of news, while “mischief” captures their playful, clever tendencies, including behaviors like stealing shiny objects. “Gulp” refers to their feeding behavior or noisy communal activity. These collective nouns express magpies’ lively, curious, and intelligent characteristics, which make them fascinating subjects of folklore and nature observation, emphasizing their social complexity and dynamic interactions within groups.

A Paddling, Raft, Brace, or Bunch of Ducks

Ducks have multiple collective nouns based on their activity and group size. A “paddling” refers to ducks moving actively by their feet in water. A “raft” describes a tightly packed group of ducks floating on water, often for safety. A “brace” is a hunting term for a pair of ducks, highlighting smaller groupings. “Bunch” is a general, informal term for a cluster of ducks. These collective nouns illustrate ducks’ social behavior in different contexts—feeding, resting, or migrating—showing them as adaptable and communal waterfowl.

A Bevy or Covey of Quail

Groups of quail are called a “bevy” or “covey.” Both terms describe small, tight-knit units often seen foraging or nesting together. A “covey” particularly refers to a family group or young birds with a mother, emphasizing protection and social cohesion. Quail are ground dwellers with secretive habits, relying on group living to help detect predators and improve survival chances. These names highlight quail’s communal nature, especially during breeding seasons and brood-rearing, underscoring their social bonds and coordinated movements in dense vegetation.

An Exaltation or Ascension of Larks

Larks in groups are called an “exaltation” or “ascension,” both poetic terms reflecting their melodious songs and high, soaring flight. These birds are celebrated for their uplifting tunes as they sing while flying upward, often associated with freedom, joy, and spirituality in literature. The collective nouns capture the sense of rising and celebration, showing how larks’ behavior inspires symbolic associations with elevation and happiness. Such names evoke the emotional impact of hearing multiple larks singing together, enhancing their cultural and natural significance.

A Party, Band, or Scold of Jays

Jays assemble as a “party,” “band,” or “scold,” reflecting different facets of their social and vocal behavior. A “party” emphasizes their gregariousness and playful interactions. A “band” suggests an organized grouping moving or feeding together. A “scold” relates to their loud, sharp calls used to communicate alarm or defend territory. These collective nouns represent jays’ intelligent, community-oriented nature, known for their curiosity, communication skills, and ability to use vocalizations for complex social purposes.

A Brood, Peep, or Clutch of Chickens

Chicken groups are termed a “brood,” indicating a family unit of hens and chicks, emphasizing nurturing and protection. A “peep” relates to the soft, high-pitched sounds young chicks make, often used informally to describe a group of chicks. A “clutch” specifically refers to the eggs laid and incubated by a female, sometimes extending to the chicks that hatch. These terms highlight reproductive stages and social care in domestic chickens, underscoring their role as social, ground-dwelling birds with strong maternal instincts.

A Descent of Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are grouped into a “descent,” a term possibly deriving from their habit of climbing down tree trunks or descending into cavities. Woodpeckers are usually solitary or territorial but may appear together during migration or in feeding flocks. The collective noun reflects their distinctive movement and vertical habitat use, emphasizing the specialized behavior of these birds in boring into wood for insects and nesting. “Descent” encapsulates both their physical actions and their unique ecological niche in forest environments.

A Rafter, Gobble, Gang, or Posse of Turkeys

Turkeys, large ground birds native to North America, gather as a “rafter,” “gobble,” “gang,” or “posse.” “Rafter” likely references the birds grouping close together, akin to ceiling rafters; “gobble” derives from the distinctive male call during mating season; “gang” and “posse” are informal terms emphasizing the birds’ social flocks and sometimes noisy behavior. These collective nouns reflect turkeys’ communal lifestyle, combining social organization with vocal communication during breeding and daily activities.

A Deceit of Lapwings

Lapwings, known for their dramatic flight and loud calls, are grouped as a “deceit.” This unusual collective noun likely comes from their behavior of distraction displays used to protect nests, where adults feign injury or lead predators away, effectively “deceiving” threats. The term captures the bird’s clever defense strategies and its cunning nature. Lapwings’ social and protective behaviors, especially during breeding periods, make “deceit” a fitting and evocative collective noun highlighting their survival tactics in open habitats.

A Dule, Piteousness, Dole, Flight, or Cote of Doves

Doves are associated with multiple collective nouns reflecting various traits. A “dule” or “dole” refers to mourning or sorrow, capturing the dove’s symbolic association with peace, love, and sometimes loss. “Piteousness” similarly evokes a sense of sadness or sympathy tied to their soft, gentle cooing. “Flight” refers simply to a group of doves in motion. “Cote” historically means a shelter or small shed where doves (or pigeons) might roost, emphasizing their nesting habits. Together, these noble and poetic terms highlight doves’ gentle nature and their significance in culture and symbolism.

A Cast, Kettle, or Aerie of Hawks

Hawks have several collective nouns depending on behavior and context. A “cast” refers to hawks gathered on the ground, often resting or feeding together. A “kettle” describes hawks circling in thermal updrafts during flight, a behavior used for energy-efficient soaring. An “aerie” is their nesting site, typically high and inaccessible on cliffs or tall trees, symbolizing their grandeur and dominance. These terms reflect hawks’ social structure, respiratory behaviors, and environmental adaptations, underscoring their status as skilled aerial hunters and territorial birds.

A Flight or Gulp of Swallows

Swallows gather in groups called a “flight,” emphasizing their aerial agility and migratory gatherings as they swoop and dart through the sky. They can also be called a “gulp,” a term that refers to their feeding behavior—catching insects midair in a fluid, gulp-like motion. These collective nouns reflect their fast, acrobatic flight patterns and social nature during migration or roosting seasons. Swallows’ elegant and synchronized flying patterns are a spectacle, and their group names aptly capture both their movement and feeding style.

A Wisp or Walk of Snipe

Snipe, small cryptic shorebirds, are observed in groups called a “wisp” or a “walk.” A “wisp” suggests something light, thin, and elusive, fitting snipe’s camouflaged, secretive behavior in marshy habitats. A “walk” highlights the birds moving together along wetlands or grasslands with a subtle presence. Both terms speak to the snipe’s discreet and shy nature, emphasizing stealth rather than large, noisy gatherings. These poetic collective nouns align with snipe’s elusive reputation among birdwatchers.

A Wedge, Team, Lamentation, Bank, Bevy, Drift, or Eyrar of Swans

Swans have a rich variety of collective nouns reflecting their elegant presence and behavior. A “wedge” describes their characteristic V-shaped flight formation. A “team” often refers to swans pulling boats or swimming in coordinated groups. A “lamentation” evokes the mournful calls associated with some species. A “bank,” “bevy,” and “drift” highlight resting or feeding groups on land or water. “Eyrar” is less common, related to “eyrie,” meaning nest, pointing to their breeding colonies. This collection reflects swans’ majesty, social bonds, and vocalizations throughout their lifecycle.

A Watch of Nightingales

Nightingales, renowned for their beautiful songs, form groups called a “watch.” This term evokes their alertness and the attentive, watchful behavior exhibited during breeding and feeding. Known for their melodious and repeated singing, nightingales’ presence is often marked by their vocal performances rather than large physical gatherings. The collective noun captures a sense of quiet observation and the poetic nature of these small but significant birds in garden and woodland habitats.

A Host, Quarrel, or Ubiquity of Sparrows

Sparrows, common and social birds, are known by several collective nouns. A “host” suggests their vast numbers and widespread presence. “Quarrel” humorously references their often noisy, competitive social interactions and minor territorial disputes. “Ubiquity” reflects their global distribution and adaptability to urban and rural environments. These terms capture sparrows’ gregarious nature, their sometimes feisty group dynamics, and their resilience in diverse habitats, making them a symbol of common but lively birdlife around humans.

A Company or Pandemonium of Parrots

Parrots, famous for their vibrant colors and vocal mimicry, congregate in groups known as a “company” or “pandemonium.” A “company” conveys an organized, sociable group, often moving or feeding collectively. “Pandemonium” vividly captures the noisy and chaotic aspects of parrot flocks, known for their loud calls and exuberant behavior. These collective nouns reflect the dual sides of parrots’ social life: both structured interactions and wild, energetic noise, exemplifying their intelligence, playfulness, and complex communication.

A Muster or Mustering of Storks

Storks, large wading birds often associated with folklore and symbolism, gather in groups called a “muster” or “mustering.” These terms suggest an assembly or gathering, often seen during migration stopovers or at communal nesting sites. The collective nouns emphasize their habit of coming together for seasonal movements and breeding, highlighting both social cooperation and readiness for migration. Storks’ stately appearance and calm demeanor make “muster” a fitting descriptor for their collective behavior.

A Sedge or Siege of Bitterns

Bitterns, secretive marsh birds closely related to herons, form groups called a “sedge” or “siege.” “Sedge” ties them to the marshy sedge plants in their wetland habitats, emphasizing their camouflaging and stealthy nature. “Siege” may reference their patient, deliberate hunting style and how they can seem to encircle a fishing area. These collective nouns reflect bitterns’ quiet, elusive behavior in reed beds and their connection to watery, still environments where they remain hidden yet vigilant.

A Flight or Gulp of Cormorants

Cormorants, aquatic diving birds, are found in groups called a “flight” when soaring or moving between locations and a “gulp” when feeding or swimming together. These names reflect their dual lives—powerful flyers and proficient swimmers. The term “gulp” metaphorically describes their rapid swallowing of fish underwater, emphasizing their efficient hunting skills. The collective nouns capture both their dynamic mobility and intimate social feeding behaviors around aquatic habitats.

A Kit, Flight, or Dropping of Pigeons

Pigeons are grouped as a “kit,” an older or less common term for a small group, a “flight,” referring to pigeons flying together, or a “dropping,” which humorously refers to a group of pigeons (possibly after their common presence in urban areas). These collective nouns reflect their habits of flying together and roosting in flocks, showcasing their adaptability and social tendencies as city-dwelling birds.

A Covey, Pack, or Brood of Grouse

Grouse, ground-dwelling birds related to pheasants, appear in groups called a “covey,” “pack,” or “brood.” A “covey” typically means a small family group, especially during the breeding season. A “pack” implies a larger social grouping, and a “brood” refers to the young raised together by a parent. These terms highlight grouse’s social and reproductive behaviors in forest or moorland habitats, emphasizing their ground-foraging and protective grouping for survival.

A Bouquet, Nye, Nide, or Nest of Pheasants

Pheasants, brightly colored game birds, are grouped in a “bouquet,” “nye,” “nide,” or “nest.” “Bouquet” reflects their showy, colorful plumage and striking appearance, evoking imagery of flower arrangements. “Nye,” “nide,” and “nest” emphasize their nesting and breeding behaviors. These collective nouns underline both the visual spectacle pheasants present and their reproductive habits, integrating aesthetic and biological perspectives on their group life.

Summary

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This detailed explanation offers romantic, scientific, and behaviorally inspired insights on each common collective noun for bird groups, enhancing appreciation of these colorful terms.