Birders have many words not often found in common English conversations. A trick trivia question could be “What is a collective of birds called?” It’s a trick question because the answer varies by species. Even one species could have multiple “correct” answers….It could be “A cauldron of Crows” or “A murder of Crows.” But first some other trivia.
Birds flock together for two main reasons: protection and food. Flocking helps with threat detection, as every bird can be looking in a different direction making it easier to spot predators. If a predator were to strike into a flock of birds, the sheer movement of the flock may be enough to confuse the predator, allowing the birds to get away safely. Flocking is also an efficient way to find food sources, with each bird having its own knowledge of sources and sharing those with the group. This is particularly useful during the winter months when natural food sources can be scarce.
Where did the the collective names come from? Scientists? Truthfully, you’re not likely to hear most of these terms from a biologist. Instead, many of the names listed came to existence in literature in the Middle Ages and were made up just because of the fun images that pop into thought when reading or saying the terms. The first known list of collective nouns for bird and other animals groupings is found in ‘The Book of Saint Albans’ (also known as ‘The Book of Hawking, Hunting, and Blasing of Arms), a book on “interests of gentlemen” published in 1486. The author even goes as far as naming groups of human professions such as a ‘blast of hunters’ or a ‘diligence of messengers.’
After consulting with at least 3 sites and putting into a consistent format, below is a large (but not exhaustive) list of names for a collective of birds.
- An orchestra of Avocets
- A dissimulation of Birds
- A flight of Birds
- A flock of Birds
- A mural of Buntings
- A wake of Buzzards
- A college of Cardinals
- A vatican of Cardinals
- A banditry of Chickadees
- A brood of Chickens
- A clutch of Chicks
- A confusion of Chiffchaffs
- A chattering of Choughs
- A commotion of Coots
- A cover of Coots
- A flight of Cormorants
- A corral of Cowbirds
- A spiral of Creepers
- A cauldron of Crows
- A murder of Crows
- An asylum of Cuckoos
- A curfew of Curlews
- A bevy of Doves
- A dole of Doves
- A dule of Doves
- A flight of Doves
- A badling of Ducks
- A brace of Ducks
- A raft of Ducks
- An aerie of Eagles
- A convocation of Eagles
- A quilt of Eiders
- A cast of Falcons/Hawks
- A charm of Finches
- A trembling of Finches
- A swatting of Flycatchers
- A gaggle of Geese
- A plump of Geese
- A wedge of Geese
- A prayer of Godwits
- A flight of Goshawks
- A water dance of Grebes
- A brace of Grouse
- A covey of Grouse
- A drumming of Grouse
- A pack of Grouse
- A colony of Gulls
- A screech of Gulls
- A boil of Hawks
- A kettle of Hawks
- A brood of Hens
- A sedge of Herons
- A bouquet of Hummingbirds
- A glitter of Hummingbirds
- A shimmering of Hummingbirds
- A party of Jays
- A scold of Jays
- A crown of Kingfishers
- A deceit of Lapwings
- A exaltation of Larks
- A parcel of Linnets
- An asylum of Loons
- A cry of Loons
- A mischief of Magpies
- A murder of Magpies
- A cast of Merlins
- A watch of Nightingales
- A booby of Nuthatches
- A bazaar of Owls
- A glaring of Owls
- A parliament of Owls
- A wisdom of Owls
- A company of Parrots/Widgeons
- A covey of Partridges
- A huddle of Penguins
- A bouquet of Pheasants
- A brood of Pheasants
- A covey of Pheasants
- A nye/nide of Pheasants
- A dropping of Pigeons
- A congregation of Plovers
- A wing of Plovers
- A covey of Ptarmigans
- A bevy of Quail
- A covey of Quail
- A congress of Ravens
- A conspiracy of Ravens
- A worm of Robins
- A bevy of Roebucks
- A building of Rooks
- A parliament of Rooks
- A exultation of Skylarks
- A flutter of Sparrows
- A host of Sparrows
- A knot of Sparrows
- A quarrel of Sparrows
- A chattering of Starlings
- A constellation of Starlings
- A murmuration of Starlings
- A flight of Swallows
- A gulp of Swallows
- A ballet of Swans
- A bevy of Swans
- A lamentation of Swans
- A wedge of Swans
- A hermitage of Thrushes
- A durante of Toucans
- A posse of Turkeys
- A rafter of Turkeys
- A venue of Vultures
- A volery of Wagtails
- A confusion of Warblers
- A museum of Waxwings
- A fall of Woodcocks
- A descent of Woodpeckers
- A gatling of Woodpeckers
- A chime of Wrens
- A herd of Wrens
Hope you have fun impressing your friends with this trivia. The best part is there is more than one correct answer.
Submitted by Judy Morr
Sources:
Wild Birds Unlimited: Nature Notes
Country Life: Collective Nouns for Birds
Hit Bulls Eye: Collective Nouns for Birds