The English language and grammar is full of fascinating quirks, and one of the most intriguing aspects is the use of collective nouns which are specific terms used to describe groups of animals, birds, and insects.
While some examples of collective nouns are well-known in the UK, like a school of fish, flock of birds or a pride of lions, others are more obscure and poetic, such as a confusion of wildebeest.
These names often have fascinating origins, drawing from medieval hunting traditions, folklore, and literary works. Some terms reflect the animals’ behaviour, like a murmuration of starlings, inspired by their synchronized flight patterns. While others stem from superstition, such as a murder of crows, linked to medieval fears of these dark-feathered scavengers.
This guide explores both historically verified and more modern, unverified collective nouns, offering insight into how language has evolved to describe the natural world in creative ways.
This structured list of collective nouns for groups of animals names, arranged by category, hopefully offers a useful reference for language enthusiasts, students, writers, or just if you want to show off your vocabulary in knowing the difference between a singular or plural beast.
Collective Nouns for Mammals
| Animal | Verified Terms | Unverified |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope | Herd | – |
| Apes | Shrewdness | – |
| Asses (Donkeys) | Herd, Pace, Drove | – |
| Baboons | Troop, Flange, Congress | – |
| Badgers | Cete | – |
| Bacteria | Colony, Culture | – |
| Bats | Colony, Cloud, Cauldron | – |
| Bears | Sloth, Sleuth | – |
| Beavers | Colony, Family | – |
| Buffalo | Herd, Troop, Gang, Obstinacy | – |
| Bulls | Drove | – |
| Cats | Clowder, Pounce, Nuisance, Kindle (Kittens), Chowder, Comfort, Colony (wild cats) | – |
| Cattle | Herd, Drove, Mob (US & Australia) | – |
| Cheetahs | Coalition | – |
| Cubs (Young Animals) | Litter | – |
| Deer | Herd, Bevy (Roe Deer), Leash, Mob | – |
| Dogs | Pack (Wild Dogs), Kennel, Cowardice (Curs) | – |
| Dolphins | Pod, School | – |
| Elephants | Herd, Parade, Crash | – |
| Ferrets | Business, Busyness | – |
| Foxes | Skulk, Leash, Troop, Earth, Company, Cloud | – |
| Giraffes | Tower, Corps, Herd, Journey, Kindergarten, Kaleidoscope | – |
| Goats | Herd, Flock, Tribe, Trip | – |
| Gorillas | Band, Whoop | Flange |
| Hamsters | Horde | – |
| Hares | Husk, Drove, Trip, Down, Flick, Trace, Leash, Band, Mute, Warren, Leap, Kindle | – |
| Hedgehogs | Array | – |
| Hippopotamuses | Bloat, Pod, Thunder | – |
| Hounds | Mute, Cry, Pack | – |
| Horses | Stud, String, Team, Stable, Harras, Pair, Rag, Remuda, Set | – |
| Hyenas | Cackle, Clan | – |
| Jackrabbits | Husk | – |
| Kangaroos | Mob, Troop | – |
| Lemurs | Troop | – |
| Lions | Pride, Troop, Sault, Sawt, Souse, Flock | – |
| Meerkats | Mob, Gang. Cuddle, Bundle, Snuggle | – |
| Martens | Richness, Richesse | – |
| Mice | Mischief, Swarm, Colony, Nest, Harvest, Horde | – |
| Moles | Labour | – |
| Monkeys | Troop, Cartload, Barrel | – |
| Mules | Barren, Pack, Span | – |
| Otters | Family, Raft, Romp, Bevy, lodge | – |
| Pigs | Drift, Sounder, Trip, Herd, Team, Passel, Drove | – |
| Porcupines | Prickle | – |
| Rabbits | Warren, Colony, Litter, Circle, Bury, Herd (domestic), Trace | Fluffle |
| Raccoons | Gaze, Nursery | – |
| Rats | Mischief, Swarm, Colony, Pack | – |
| Rhinoceroses | Crash, Herd | Stubbornness |
| Seals | Herd, Pod, Rookery, Harem, Trip | – |
| Sheep | Flock, Herd, Mob, Hirsel, Pack, Drove, Trip | – |
| Skunks | Surfeit | – |
| Tigers | Ambush, Streak | – |
| Walruses | Herd, Pod, Huddle | – |
| Weasels | Gang, Sneak | – |
| Wildebeest | Confusion, Herd | – |
| Wolves | Pack, Rout | – |
| Wombats | Wisdom | – |
| Zebras | Zeal, Herd, Dazzle | – |
Collective Nouns for Birds
| Bird | Verified Terms | Unverified |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterns | Sedge | – |
| Bobolinks | Chain | – |
| Canaries | Bouquet | – |
| Choughs | Chattering | – |
| Crows | Murder, Horde, Parliament, Hover, Muster, Parcel, Assembly | – |
| Doves | Dule, Flight, Plague, Pitying (Turtle Doves) | – |
| Ducks | Raft, Paddling, Bunch (on water), Team, Brace, Badling (in flight) | – |
| Eagles | Convocation, Congregation | – |
| Finches | Charm | – |
| Flamingos | Flamboyance, Stand | – |
| Geese | Gaggle (On Ground), Skein (In Flight), Team, Wedge, Plump | – |
| Guillemots | Bazaar | – |
| Hawks | Cast, Kettle, Boil | – |
| Herons | Siege | – |
| Jays | Party, Scold | – |
| Lapwings | Desert, Deceit | – |
| Larks | Bevy, Exaltation, Ascension | – |
| Loons | Raft | – |
| Magpies | Tiding, Gulp, Murmuration, Tittering, Charm | – |
| Owls | Parliament, Stare, Wisdom, Study | – |
| Parrots | Pandemonium, Company | – |
| Peacocks | Muster, Ostentation, Pulchritude | – |
| Pelicans | Squadron, Pod, Scoop | – |
| Penguins | Rookery, Colony | – |
| Pheasants | Nye, Bouquet, Covey (on land), Nest (in trees) | – |
| Pigeons | Loft, Kit, Flight | – |
| Ravens | Unkindness, Conspiracy, Murder | Treachery, Rave |
| Sparrows | Host | – |
| Starlings | Murmuration, Affliction, Chattering, Filth | – |
| Swans | Bevy, Wedge (In Flight), Ballet, Lamentation, Game, Bank, Team, Herd | – |
| Thrushes | Mutation | – |
| Turkeys | Rafter, Gang | – |
| Woodpeckers | Descent | – |
Collective Nouns for Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Insects, and Arachnids
| Animal | Verified Terms | Unverified |
|---|---|---|
| Ants | Colony, Army, Swarm, State | – |
| Bees | Hive, Swarm, Grist, Cluster, Erst, Drift, Bike | – |
| Butterflies | Rabble, Kaleidoscope, Flutter, Rainbow, flight | – |
| Caterpillars | Army | – |
| Cockroaches | Intrusion | – |
| Crabs | Cast | – |
| Crocodiles | Congregation, Nest, Bask, Float | Striker |
| Dragonflies | Swarm | – |
| Eels | Seething, Array | Murmuration |
| Fish (General) | School, Shoal, Nest, Draft, Run (in motion) | – |
| Flies | Swarm, Business, Cloud, Hatch | – |
| Frogs | Army, Colony, Knot | – |
| Goldfish | Troubling | – |
| Grasshoppers | Cloud | – |
| Jellyfish | Smack, Bloom, Swarm, Fluther | – |
| Ladybirds | Loveliness | – |
| Locusts | Plague | – |
| Lizards | Lounge | – |
| Minnows | Steam | – |
| Mosquitoes | Scourge | – |
| Newts | Knot | – |
| Octopuses | Consortium | – |
| Rattlesnakes | Rhumba | – |
| Salamanders | Congregation | – |
| Seahorses | Herd | – |
| Sharks | Shiver | – |
| Snakes | Nest, Den, Knot, Brood, Slither | – |
| Spiders | Cluster | – |
| Stingrays | Fever | – |
| Tadpoles | Cloud | – |
| Termites | Brood, Colony, Nest, Swarm | – |
| Toads | Knot, Knab | – |
| Trout | Hover | – |
| Turtles | Bale, Dole, Nest, Turn | – |
| Vipers | Nest, Brood | – |
| Wasps | Pladge, Nest, Pail | – |
Verification Methodology used
We verified these collective nouns through historical, linguistic, scientific, and contemporary sources, and certified verified if found in at least two authoritative and trusted sources including:
- Dictionaries & Archives: Oxford English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge, Collins, British Library.
- Historical Texts: The Book of Saint Albans (1486), Flocks, Herds, Litters & Schools by James Lipton.
- Scientific References: National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, WWF, IUCN.
- Medieval hunting guides, folklore, newspapers, literature, news archives, academic databases confirmed traditional terms (e.g., pride of lions).
- Common in zoology, wildlife research, and conservation
- Input from linguists, lexicographers, and wildlife experts.
Verified: Strong historical, linguistic, or scientific backing.
Unverified: Pop culture, humour, or modern coinages lacking authoritative recognition. i.e. a flange of Gorillas came from an episode of Not the Nine O’Clock News, known for satire and comedy.
There also some I am astounded I cannot verify, like a Choir of Birds singing in the dawn chorus. Why is that not a thing?
Lesser-Known and Fun Collective Nouns
Some collective nouns are more poetic or humorous, often used informally:
- A murmuration of starlings (describes their flowing flight patterns)
- A flamboyance of flamingos (highlighting their vibrant colour)
- A parliament of owls (linked to their association with wisdom)
- A dazzle of zebras (refers to their striking stripes)
- A kaleidoscope of butterflies (descriptive of their colourful wings)
- A mischief of rats (evoking their reputation for cunning behaviour)
Conclusion
Collective nouns enrich the English language, offering vivid ways to describe groups of animals. While many of these terms have historical roots, some are whimsical additions or even false. If you’d like to explore more, check out Flocks, Herds, Litters, and Schools by Jim McMullan, which delves into the origins of these fascinating terms.
So what’s your favourite collective noun?
FAQ: Collective Nouns for Animals
What is a collective noun?
A collective noun is a word that describes a group of people, animals, or things. In the animal kingdom, collective nouns are often creative and descriptive words, such as “a cauldron of bats” or “a bloat of hippopotamuses.”
What are some of the most unusual collective nouns for animals?
Some of the more intriguing and lesser-known collective nouns include:
- A shrewdness of apes
- A confusion of wildebeest
- A parliament of owls
- A murmuration of starlings
- A smack of jellyfish
- A bloat of hippopotamuses
Why is a group of crows called a “murder”?
This term likely comes from medieval superstitions, where crows were seen as ominous creatures associated with death and witchcraft. Other terms for groups of crows include “a mob,” “a horde,” and “a parcel.”
What do you call a group of geese?
The name depends on their location:
- On the ground: A gaggle of geese
- On water: A plump of geese
- In flight: A skein, team, or wedge of geese
Why is a group of wildebeest called a “confusion”?
During their annual migration, millions of wildebeest travel together, often in a chaotic and frantic manner, leading to the term “a confusion of wildebeest.”
What is a group of apes called?
A shrewdness of apes. This term, coined in the 15th century, originally referred to their playful and mischievous nature but has since come to reflect their intelligence.
What do you call a group of owls?
A parliament of owls. This term was inspired by C.S. Lewis‘ Chronicles of Narnia, which referenced Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls, where birds gathered to find mates.
What is a group of jellyfish called?
A smack of jellyfish, most likely named after the squelching sound they make when washed ashore. Other terms include a bloom, a swarm, or a fluther of jellyfish.
Why is a group of rhinoceroses called a “crash”?
Rhinos have poor eyesight and can charge unexpectedly, leading to the term “a crash of rhinos.”
What is a group of woodpeckers called?
A descent of woodpeckers, named for their habit of swooping down from trees and moving downward along trunks in search of food.
What is a group of starlings called?
A murmuration of starlings. The term comes from the Latin word for grumbling and describes the low, continuous sound of thousands of starlings flying together at dusk.
What do you call a group of turtles?
A bale of turtles, referring to the way they huddle together for safety. Other terms include a nest, a dole, or a turn of turtles.
Why is a group of ravens called an “unkindness”?
In medieval times, ravens were falsely believed to be neglectful parents, leading to the term an unkindness of ravens. Other names include a conspiracy, a treachery, or a rave of ravens.
What is a group of whales called?
A pod of whales is the most common term, referring to their small family units. Other names include a gam, a school, or a herd of whales.
What is a group of hawks called?
A cast of hawks, which comes from falconry, where trained birds are released together. Other terms include a kettle (when flying in large numbers) and a boil (when spiralling together in the sky).
What is a group of badgers called?
A cete of badgers, a term dating back to the 15th century, referring to their highly social and clan-based lifestyle.
What is a group of waterfowl called?
The term varies depending on the number of birds:
- Less than 30: A knob of waterfowl
- More than 30: A bunch, trip, or plump of waterfowl
What is a group of hares called?
A husk of hares, though other terms include a trace, a trip, or a drove of hares. Young hares are called leverets.
Why is a group of caterpillars called an “army”?
The term an army of caterpillars was first recorded in 1828, referencing their habit of moving in large numbers and consuming vegetation rapidly.
What is a group of crocodiles called?
A nest of crocodiles, referring to their egg-laying behaviour. Other terms include a bask (when sunbathing), a float (when in water), or a congregation of crocodiles.
What do you call a group of bees?
The most common term is a swarm of bees, but other collective nouns include:
- A grist (derived from a portion or quantity of something)
- A colony (referring to their structured social hierarchy)
- A hum, a cluster, or a drift of bees
What is a group of rabbits called?
A colony of rabbits, referring to their underground burrow systems called warrens. Other terms include a trace, a bevy, a flick, or a kindle (for young rabbits).
What is a group of iguanas called?
A mess of iguanas, named for their habit of intertwining together, making it hard to distinguish one from another.
Where do these terms come from?
Many collective nouns date back to medieval times when they were recorded in books like The Book of St Albans (1486). Others have been coined more recently based on animal behaviour, folklore, or literature.
What other terms are there outside the animal kingdom?
We tend to say a crowd of people, and a fleet of ships.
Collective Nouns for Animals (Searchable Table)
| Animal Type | Animal | Verified Terms | Unverified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mammal | Antelope | Herd | - |
| Mammal | Apes | Shrewdness | - |
| Mammal | Asses (Donkeys) | Herd, Pace, Drove | - |
| Mammal | Baboons | Troop, Flange, Congress | - |
| Mammal | Bacteria | Colony, Culture | - |
| Mammal | Badgers | Cete | - |
| Mammal | Bats | Colony, Cloud | - |
| Mammal | Bears | Sloth, Sleuth | - |
| Mammal | Beavers | Colony, Family | - |
| Bird | Bitterns | Sedge | - |
| Bird | Bobolinks | Chain | - |
| Mammal | Buffalo | Herd, Troop, Gang, Obstinacy | - |
| Mammal | Bulls | Drove | - |
| Bird | Canaries | Bouquet | - |
| Insect | Caterpillars | Army | - |
| Mammal | Cats | Clowder, Pounce, Kindle (Kittens), Chowder, Comfort, Colony (wild cats) | - |
| Mammal | Cattle | Herd, Drove, Mob (US & Australia) | - |
| Mammal | Cheetahs | Coalition | - |
| Bird | Choughs | Chattering | - |
| Reptile | Crocodiles | Congregation, Nest, Bask, Float | Striker |
| Bird | Crows | Murder, Horde, Parliament, Hover, Muster, Parcel | - |
| Mammal | Cubs (Young Animals) | Litter | - |
| Mammal | Deer | Herd, Bevy (Roe Deer), Leash, Mob | - |
| Mammal | Dogs | Pack (Wild Dogs), Kennel, Cowardice (Curs) | - |
| Mammal | Dolphins | Pod, School | - |
| Bird | Doves | Dule, Flight, Plague, Pitying (Turtle Doves) | - |
| Bird | Ducks | Raft, Paddling, Bunch (on water), Team, Brace, Badling (in flight) | - |
| Bird | Eagles | Convocation, Congregation | - |
| Fish | Eels | Seething, Array | Murmuration |
| Mammal | Elephants | Herd, Parade, Crash | - |
| Mammal | Ferrets | Business, Busyness | - |
| Bird | Finches | Charm | - |
| Bird | Flamingos | Flamboyance, Stand | - |
| Mammal | Foxes | Skulk, Leash, Troop, Earth, Company, Cloud | - |
| Amphibian | Frogs | Army, Colony, Knot | - |
| Bird | Geese | Gaggle (On Ground), Skein (In Flight), Team, Wedge, Plump | - |
| Mammal | Giraffes | Tower, Corps, Herd, Journey, Kindergarten, Kaleidoscope | - |
| Mammal | Goats | Herd, Flock, Tribe, Trip | - |
| Mammal | Gorillas | Band, Whoop | Flange |
| Mammal | Hamsters | Horde | - |
| Mammal | Hares | Husk, Drove, Trip, Down, Flick, Trace, Leash, Band, Mute, Warren, Leap, Kindle | - |
| Mammal | Hedgehogs | Array | - |
| Bird | Herons | Siege | - |
| Mammal | Hippopotamuses | Bloat, Pod, Thunder | - |
| Mammal | Horses | Stud, String, Team, Stable, Harras, Pair, Rag, Remuda, Set | - |
| Mammal | Hounds | Mute, Cry, Pack | - |
| Mammal | Jackrabbits | Husk | - |
| Mammal | Kangaroos | Mob, Troop | - |
| Mammal | Lemurs | Troop | - |
| Mammal | Lions | Pride, Troop, Sault, Sawt, Souse, Flock | - |
| Reptile | Lizards | Lounge | - |
| Insect | Locusts | Plague | - |
| Bird | Magpies | Tiding, Gulp, Murmuration, Tittering, Charm | - |
| Mammal | Martens | Richness, Richesse | - |
| Mammal | Mice | Mischief, Swarm, Colony, Nest, Harvest, Horde | - |
| Mammal | Moles | Labour | - |
| Mammal | Monkeys | Troop, Cartload, Barrel | - |
| Mammal | Mules | Barren, Pack, Span | - |
| Reptile | Newts | Knot | - |
| Mammal | Otters | Family, Raft, Romp, Bevy | - |
| Mammal | Pigs | Drift, Sounder, Trip, Herd, Team, Passel, Drove | - |
| Mammal | Porcupines | Prickle | - |
| Mammal | Rabbits | Warren, Colony, Litter, Circle, Bury, Herd (domestic), Trace | Fluffle |
| Mammal | Raccoons | Gaze, Nursery | - |
| Mammal | Rats | Mischief, Swarm, Colony, Pack | - |
| Reptile | Rattlesnakes | Rhumba | - |
| Mammal | Rhinoceroses | Crash, Herd | Stubbornness |
| Reptile | Salamanders | Congregation | - |
| Fish | Seahorses | Herd | - |
| Mammal | Seals | Herd, Pod, Rookery, Harem, Trip | - |
| Fish | Sharks | Shiver | - |
| Mammal | Sheep | Flock, Herd, Mob, Hirsel, Pack, Drove, Trip | - |
| Mammal | Skunks | Surfeit | - |
| Reptile | Snakes | Nest, Den, Knot, Brood, Slither | - |
| Bird | Sparrows | Host | - |
| Bird | Swans | Bevy, Wedge (In Flight), Ballet, Lamentation, Game, Bank, Team, Herd | - |
| Mammal | Tigers | Ambush, Streak | - |
| Amphibian | Toads | Knot, Knab | - |
| Mammal | Walruses | Herd, Pod, Huddle | - |
| Insect | Wasps | Pladge, Nest, Pail | - |
| Mammal | Weasels | Gang, Sneak | - |
| Mammal | Wildebeest | Confusion, Herd | - |
| Mammal | Wolves | Pack, Rout | - |
| Mammal | Wombats | Wisdom | - |
| Mammal | Zebras | Zeal, Herd, Dazzle | - |
