You’ve heard of a “gaggle” of geese or a “murder” of crows, but what do you call a group of Finches, Jays or Woodpeckers? Generic collective nouns such as “flock fleet,” or “dissimulation” can apply to all bird species; however, there are more distinctive terms used for groups of specific types of birds that often are a reflection of the bird’s personality and/or behavior. While not all of your backyard birds have specific group names, many of them who travel or hang around in groups do so. For example, two of the most desirable birds people see in their yards are Goldfinches and Hummingbirds, and coincidentally both groups are called a “charm.” If you are looking for a party, hang out with a group of Blue Jays. A group of Blue Jays is often referred to as a “party” or a “band.” This may explain why Blue Jays often seem like they are hollering out, maybe they just might be singing or doing the Shout. A group of Woodpeckers hanging together is known as a “descent.” This makes sense because most Woodpeckers start at the top of trees and then continue to work their way down. If you see a group of Wrens together, then you are witnessing a “herd” or “chime” of Wrens. Swallows spend most of their time in the air eating insects, so the group name “flight” fits them perfectly. A group of Sparrows is known as a “host.” Even though we backyard birders are the hosts to birds we invite into our spaces, wintertime in Southeastern Arizona enables us to see many exotic Sparrow species. A group of Starlings is referred to as a “mumuration” or “chattering.” Water fowl and birds that live around water also have creative group names when they stay together. Ducks always seem to be in large groups, but do you know what the group is actually called? A group of Ducks are actually referred to as a “raft” of Ducks. This makes sense because they do seem to glide across the water surface. Herons traveling or living together are called a “siege.” Koi pond owners would agree this name fits their nature, because Herons are known to snack on the owner’s expensive fish. An unusual group name that might actually be the most appropriate applies to a group of Flamingoes referred to as a “flamboyance.” How much more flamboyant can you get than wearing pink and high stepping everyday of you life? Raptors and birds of prey also have unusual group names. Many people have heard the term “a kettle of Hawks”, but how many people know what a group of Eagles is called? A group of Eagles is called a “convocation.” Owls may have one of the most unusual group names and they are called a “parliament.” This makes sense as most people consider British politicians to be a little hooty indeed. | FAQs
A group of birds is called as flock.
How do groups of birds get their names? ›
Some of these collective nouns, often called company terms, are based on observable characteristics of the species — “a fall of woodco*ck” references the bewildering air dance of the courting birds, “a watch of nightingales” pays homage to the nocturnal wakefulness of Earth's most musical bird, and “a gaggle of geese” ...
What is a bunch of blue jays called? ›
A group of Blue Jays is often referred to as a “party” or a “band.” This may explain why Blue Jays often seem like they are hollering out, maybe they just might be singing or doing the Shout.
What is a group of mockingbirds called? ›
A group of mockingbirds has many collective nouns, including an echo, exactness, plagiary, and a ridicule. A group of Jays are known as a party or a band.
What's a group of sparrows called? ›
A group of sparrows is called a host. A group of men named James is called late-night hosts.
What is a flock of ravens called? ›
The collective noun for a group of ravens is an "unkindness". In practice, most people use the more generic "flock".
What bird is named after a woman? ›
Among the few birds named after a woman who studied birds is the Blackburnian warbler, commemorating 18th-century English amateur botanist Anna Blackburne. The Virginia's warbler generally inhabits the Southwest and was named for the wife of the man who collected the first known specimen, in New Mexico.
What do you call a flock of crows? ›
What's The Collective Noun For A Group of Crows? The collective noun for a group of crows is a murder of crows. This is one of the best-known collective nouns for birds; however, you may also call a group of crows a horde, a mob or a parliament[ii].
What bird is named after William C Cooper? ›
William Cooper (1798–1864): Cooper's Hawk.
By my count, the Cooper's Hawk is this country's most frequently seen eponymous bird.
What is a group of titmouse called? ›
Ostdrossel™ — A group of Titmice is called a glee.
A group of chickadees is called a “banditry” – an apt description for their masked faces and trickster behavior.
What is a group of falcons called? ›
Like several other raptor species of birds, a group of falcons can be called a cast, a cauldron, or a kettle. However, they can also be called a bazaar of falcons or a cadge of falcons. Falcons are generally solitary hunters that only gather for mating purposes.
What is a group of wrens called? ›
Wrens: herd, chime.
What is a group of goldfinches called? ›
The collective noun for a group of Goldfinches is a 'charm'. This rather suits these delightful little birds. An adult Goldfinch should be unmistakable, with its red, white and black head, gold wing-bars and black and white wings.
What is a swarm of birds called? ›
Birds gather in murmurations for a variety of reasons. Grouping together offers safety in numbers as predators like peregrine falcons find it hard to target one bird in amongst a hypnotising flock of thousands. Starlings also gather to keep warm at night and exchange information about good feeding areas.
What is the best collective noun for birds? ›
Collective Nouns for Birds
- A flight of birds/butterflies/cormorants/doves/goshawks/swallows.
- A brace of ducks/grouse.
- A dole of doves.
- A flock of birds.
- A dropping of pigeons.
- A cast of falcons/hawks.
- A clutch of chicks.
- A company of parrots/widgeons.
While flock is the most common collective noun for birds, a group of birds is also called a colony (roosting in large numbers), drift (in flight), rush (migrating), or dissimulation (small birds).
What is a gaggle of birds? ›
A gaggle is a group of geese. You can also describe a bunch of people milling around in a disorganized way as a gaggle. Gaggle is a word known as a "term of venery," a collective noun used to describe a particular group of animals. When a bunch of geese waddle around on the ground, that's a gaggle of geese.
