What Are Groups of Birds Called? The Collective Nouns For Birds

Birds of a feather flock together, but what is this flock called? Turns out, it depends on the species!

As our avian friends take to the skies, they often gather in social groups of birds that are not only visually captivating, but also come with unique names.

These special terms, known as collective nouns, bring a touch of poetry and whimsy to our language, enriching our descriptions of avian behavior and adding a dash of charm to birdwatching experiences.

Collective Nouns for Birds, Birds Group Names

From a “charm” of finches to a “murder” of crows, the collective nouns for birds not only convey the beauty of the natural world, but also evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity.

So, let’s spread our wings and delve into this enchanting lexicon, exploring the captivating collective nouns and names for groups of birds below.

List of Collective Nouns For Birds

Bird SpeciesCollective Nouns
AvocetsBouquet
BitternsSiege
BlackbirdsMurmuration
BluebirdsBand
BobolinksChain
ChickadeesParty
ChiffchaffsConfusion
ChoughsChattering
CockatoosMob
CootsCommotion
CormorantsGulp
CootsCommotion
CranesCaravan, Congregation
CrowsMurder
CurlewsCurfew
DotterelsTrip
DovesPitying
Ducks (on water)Paddling
Ducks (in flight)Skein
DunlinsFling
EaglesCongregation, Parliament
EmusMob
FinchesCharm
FlamingosFlamboyance
Geese (on ground or water)Gaggle
Geese (in flight)Skein
GoldfinchesCharm
GrouseBrood
HawksCast
HeronsSedge, Siege
HummingbirdsCharm, Quiver
IbisesWisp, Congregation
JackdawsClattering
JaysParty, Scold
KingfishersCoterie
KestrelsHovering, Kettle
LoonsRaft
MagpiesTiding
OwlsParliament
PartridgesCovey
PenguinsColony
PeacocksMuster
PelicansFlotilla, Pod
PheasantsBouquet
PigeonsPlump, Flight
PloversTrip, Congregation
PuffinsCongregation, Circus
QuailsCovey, Bevy
RavensHorde, Unkindness
RobinsRound
RooksParliament
SandpipersFling
SparrowsHost
StarlingsConstellation, Murmuration
SwallowsFlight
SwansLamentation
TernsColony
ThrushesCharm
ToucansParliament
TurkeysBrood, Gang
VulturesKettle
WoodpeckersDescent

Final Thoughts

Many of our favourite collective nouns for birds date back to the 15th century, and have managed to stay in our memory as they were recorded and published in Books of Courtesy handbooks designed to ‘educate nobility’. 1

Some of the group names of birds are straightforward in their meaning, named after obvious attributes or behaviour, while others are more perculiar or a product of the time.

A ‘murder of crows’ likely comes from medieval peasants fears of the jet black, and slightly ‘sinister-looking’ birds that were often seen in graveyards, while ‘an unkindness of ravens’ refers to their perceived poor parenting in the 19th century.

If you’re unsure of the true collective noun for a species, then a flock of birds is the most common!

Fact Sources & References

  1. Paula Lester (2020), “Collective nouns for birds: Why we call it a murder of crows, murmuration of starlings and a conspiracy of ravens“, Country Life.