Birds are some of the most colorful and diverse creatures on Earth, and their group names are just as creative. From a murder of crows to a parliament of owls, these collective nouns capture imagination, folklore, and science all at the same time.
Below you’ll find our growing list of 379 bird collective nouns across 103 species — 135 animal names link through to a full article, with more being added regularly. Search or click a column header to sort.
List of Birds and Their Collective Nouns
| Animal | Collective Noun | Full Term | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albatrosses | Rookery | A Rookery of Albatrosses | |
| Albatrosses | Weight | A Weight of Albatrosses | |
| Auks | Colony | A Colony of Auks | |
| Auks | Flock | A Flock of Auks | |
| Auks | Raft | A Raft of Auks | |
| Avocets | Colony | A Colony of Avocets | |
| Bitterns | Pretence | A Pretence of Bitterns | |
| Bitterns | Sedge | A Sedge of Bitterns | |
| Bitterns | Siege | A Siege of Bitterns | |
| Blackbirds | Cloud | A Cloud of Blackbirds | |
| Blackbirds | Flock | A Flock of Blackbirds | |
| Blackbirds | Grind | A Grind of Blackbirds | |
| Blackbirds | Merl | A Merl of Blackbirds | |
| Bustards | Flock | A Flock of Bustards | |
| Bustards | Wake | A Wake of Bustards | |
| Buzzards | Kettle | A Kettle of Buzzards | |
| Buzzards | Pack | A Pack of Buzzards | |
| Buzzards | Wake | A Wake of Buzzards | |
| Capercaillies | Tok | A Tok of Capercaillies | |
| Capons | Mews | A Mews of Capons | |
| Capons | Muse | A Muse of Capons | |
| Cardinals | Conclave | A Conclave of Cardinals | |
| Cardinals | Radiance | A Radiance of Cardinals | |
| Chickens | Brood | A Brood of Chickens | |
| Chickens | Chattering | A Chattering of Chickens | |
| Chickens | Cletch | A Cletch of Chickens | |
| Chickens | Clutch | A Clutch of Chickens | |
| Chickens | Flock | A Flock of Chickens | |
| Chickens | Peep | A Peep of Chickens | |
| Cock Turkeys | Posse | A Posse of Cock Turkeys | |
| Cockatoos | Chattering | A Chattering of Cockatoos | |
| Cockatoos | Clattering | A Clattering of Cockatoos | |
| Cockatoos | Cluttering | A Cluttering of Cockatoos | |
| Cockatoos | Crackle | A Crackle of Cockatoos | |
| Cockatoos | Family | A Family of Cockatoos | |
| Cormorants | Flight | A Flight of Cormorants | |
| Cormorants | Gulp | A Gulp of Cormorants | |
| Cranes | Flock | A Flock of Cranes | |
| Cranes | Herd | A Herd of Cranes | |
| Cranes | Sedge | A Sedge of Cranes | |
| Cranes | Siege | A Siege of Cranes | |
| Crows | Caucus | A Caucus of Crows | |
| Crows | Cauldron | A Cauldron of Crows | |
| Crows | Congress | A Congress of Crows | |
| Crows | Cowardice | A Cowardice of Crows | |
| Crows | Hover | A Hover of Crows | |
| Crows | Murder | A Murder of Crows | |
| Crows | Muster | A Muster of Crows | |
| Crows | Parcel | A Parcel of Crows | |
| Crows | Storytelling | A Storytelling of Crows | |
| Curlews | Buff | A Buff of Curlews | |
| Curlews | Head | A Head of Curlews | |
| Curlews | Herd | A Herd of Curlews | |
| Curlews | Salon | A Salon of Curlews | |
| Curlews | Skein | A Skein of Curlews | |
| Curlews | Wedge | A Wedge of Curlews | |
| Dotterel | Trip | A Trip of Dotterel | |
| Doves | Bevy | A Bevy of Doves | |
| Doves | Cote | A Cote of Doves | |
| Doves | Dole | A Dole of Doves | |
| Doves | Dule | A Dule of Doves | |
| Doves | Exaltation | An Exaltation of Doves | |
| Doves | Flight | A Flight of Doves | |
| Doves | Piteousness | A Piteousness of Doves | |
| Doves | Pitying | A Pitying of Doves | |
| Doves | Prettying | A Prettying of Doves | |
| Drongos | Bunch | A Bunch of Drongos | |
| Ducklings | Fleet | A Fleet of Ducklings | |
| Ducks | Brace | A Brace of Ducks | |
| Ducks | Bunch | A Bunch of Ducks | |
| Ducks | Flock | A Flock of Ducks | |
| Ducks | Flush | A Flush of Ducks | |
| Ducks | Paddling | A Paddling of Ducks | |
| Ducks | Skein | A Skein of Ducks | |
| Ducks | Sord | A Sord of Ducks | |
| Ducks | String | A String of Ducks | |
| Ducks (Diving) | Dopping | A Dopping of Ducks | |
| Ducks (Flying) | Flight | A Flight of Ducks | |
| Ducks (Flying) | Plump | A Plump of Ducks | |
| Ducks (Flying) | Pump | A Pump of Ducks Flying | |
| Ducks (Flying) | Team | A Team of Ducks | |
| Ducks (Idle In Water) | Raft | A Raft of Ducks | |
| Ducks (On Ground) | Badelynge | A Badelynge of Ducks | |
| Ducks (Swimming) | Paddling | A Paddling of Ducks | |
| Eagles | Aerie | An Aerie of Eagles | |
| Eagles | Army | An Army of Eagles | |
| Eagles | Convocation | A Convocation of Eagles | |
| Eagles | Jubilee | A Jubilee of Eagles | |
| Eagles | Soar | A Soar of Eagles | |
| Eagles | Spread | A Spread of Eagles | |
| Emus | Mob | A Mob of Emus | |
| Falcons | Soar Or Tower | A Soar Or Tower of Falcons | |
| Falcons (Pair) | Cast | A Cast of Falcons Pair | |
| Falcons (Pair) | Pair | A Pair of Falcons Pair | |
| Finches | Charm | A Charm of Finches | |
| Finches | Chirm | A Chirm of Finches | |
| Finches | Company | A Company of Finches | |
| Finches | Flock | A Flock of Finches | |
| Finches | Trembling | A Trembling of Finches | |
| Finches | Trimming | A Trimming of Finches | |
| Flamingos | Flamboyance | A Flamboyance of Flamingos | |
| Flamingos | Flurry | A Flurry of Flamingos | |
| Flamingos | Regiment | A Regiment of Flamingos | |
| Flamingos | Skein | A Skein of Flamingos | |
| Flamingos | Stand | A Stand of Flamingos | |
| Fowl | Plump | A Plump of Fowl | |
| Fowl | Roost | A Roost of Fowl | |
| Fowl | Skein | A Skein of Fowl | |
| Fowl | Trip | A Trip of Fowl | |
| Geese | Flock | A Flock of Geese | |
| Geese | Gaggle | A Gaggle of Geese | |
| Geese | Nide | A Nide of Geese | |
| Geese | Skein | A Skein of Geese | |
| Geese | Team | A Team of Geese | |
| Geese | Trip | A Trip of Geese | |
| Geese (Flying In A V) | Wedge | A Wedge of Geese | |
| Goldfinches | Charm | A Charm of Goldfinches | |
| Goldfinches | Chattering | A Chattering of Goldfinches | |
| Goldfinches | Drum | A Drum of Goldfinches | |
| Goldfinches | Glister | A Glister of Goldfinches | |
| Goldfinches | Troubling | A Troubling of Goldfinches | |
| Goldfinches | Vein | A Vein of Goldfinches | |
| Goosanders | Dopping | A Dopping of Goosanders | |
| Goshawks | Flight | A Flight of Goshawks | |
| Goslings | Shoal | A Shoal of Goslings | |
| Goslings | Skein | A Skein of Goslings | |
| Grouse | Brace | A Brace of Grouse | |
| Grouse | Drumming | A Drumming of Grouse | |
| Grouse | Flight | A Flight of Grouse | |
| Grouse | Lek | A Lek of Grouse | |
| Grouse | Pack | A Pack of Grouse | |
| Grouse (Large Group) | Brood | A Brood of Grouse Large Group | |
| Grouse (Single Family) | Covey | A Covey of Grouse Single Family | |
| Guillemots | Bazaar | A Bazaar of Guillemots | |
| Gulls | Colony | A Colony of Gulls | |
| Gulls | Pack | A Pack of Gulls | |
| Gulls | Screech | A Screech of Gulls | |
| Hawks | Aerie | An Aerie of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Boil | A Boil of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Cast | A Cast of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Kettle | A Kettle of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Leash | A Leash of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Mews | A Mews of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Moulting | A Moulting of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Screw | A Screw of Hawks | |
| Hawks | Stream | A Stream of Hawks | |
| Hens | Brood | A Brood of Hens | |
| Hens | Run | A Run of Hens | |
| Hummingbirds | Bouquet | A Bouquet of Hummingbirds | |
| Hummingbirds | Charm | A Charm of Hummingbirds | |
| Hummingbirds | Chattering | A Chattering of Hummingbirds | |
| Hummingbirds | Drum | A Drum of Hummingbirds | |
| Hummingbirds | Glittering | A Glittering of Hummingbirds | |
| Hummingbirds | Shimmer | A Shimmer of Hummingbirds | |
| Hummingbirds | Troubling | A Troubling of Hummingbirds | |
| Ibises | Colony | A Colony of Ibises | |
| Jackdaws | Band | A Band of Jackdaws | |
| Jackdaws | Pair | A Pair of Jackdaws | |
| Jackdaws | Train | A Train of Jackdaws | |
| Jays | Band | A Band of Jays | |
| Jays | Cast | A Cast of Jays | |
| Jays | Party | A Party of Jays | |
| Jays | Scold | A Scold of Jays | |
| Kestrels | Flight | A Flight of Kestrels | |
| Kestrels | Soar | A Soar of Kestrels | |
| Kites | Kettle | A Kettle of Kites | |
| Kites | Roost | A Roost of Kites | |
| Kites | Soar | A Soar of Kites | |
| Lapwings | Deceit | A Deceit of Lapwings | |
| Lapwings | Desert | A Desert of Lapwings | |
| Larks | Ascension | An Ascension of Larks | |
| Larks | Bevy | A Bevy of Larks | |
| Larks | Exaltation | An Exaltation of Larks | |
| Larks | Exalting | An Exalting of Larks | |
| Larks | Flight | A Flight of Larks | |
| Larks | Happiness | A Happiness of Larks | |
| Larks | Springful | A Springful of Larks | |
| Linnets | Parcel | A Parcel of Linnets | |
| Magpies | Charm | A Charm of Magpies | |
| Magpies | Congregation | A Congregation of Magpies | |
| Magpies | Flock | A Flock of Magpies | |
| Magpies | Gulp | A Gulp of Magpies | |
| Magpies | Murder | A Murder of Magpies | |
| Magpies | Tiding | A Tiding of Magpies | |
| Magpies | Tittering | A Tittering of Magpies | |
| Magpies | Tribe | A Tribe of Magpies | |
| Mallards | Battling | A Battling of Mallards | |
| Mallards | Flush | A Flush of Mallards | |
| Mallards | Lute | A Lute of Mallards | |
| Mallards | Puddling | A Puddling of Mallards | |
| Mallards | Sord | A Sord of Mallards | |
| Mallards (On Water) | Sute | A Sute of Mallards On Water | |
| Moorhens | Flock | A Flock of Moorhens | |
| Moorhens | Plump | A Plump of Moorhens | |
| Mudhen | Cover | A Cover of Mudhen | |
| Mudhen | Fleet | A Fleet of Mudhen | |
| Mudhen | Raft | A Raft of Mudhen | |
| Nightingales | Kettle | A Kettle of Nightingales | |
| Nightingales | Match | A Match of Nightingales | |
| Nightingales | Pray | A Pray of Nightingales | |
| Nightingales | Watch | A Watch of Nightingales | |
| Ostriches | Flock | A Flock of Ostriches | |
| Ostriches | Pride | A Pride of Ostriches | |
| Ostriches | Wobble | A Wobble of Ostriches | |
| Owls | Parliament | A Parliament of Owls | |
| Owls | Sagaciousness | A Sagaciousness of Owls | |
| Owls | Stare | A Stare of Owls | |
| Owls | Wisdom | A Wisdom of Owls | |
| Parrots | Company | A Company of Parrots | |
| Parrots | Flock | A Flock of Parrots | |
| Parrots | Pandemonium | A Pandemonium of Parrots | |
| Parrots | Prattle | A Prattle of Parrots | |
| Partridges | Bevy | A Bevy of Partridges | |
| Partridges | Bew | A Bew of Partridges | |
| Partridges | Brace | A Brace of Partridges | |
| Partridges | Clutch | A Clutch of Partridges | |
| Partridges | Cover | A Cover of Partridges | |
| Partridges | Covey | A Covey of Partridges | |
| Partridges | Jugging | A Jugging of Partridges | |
| Partridges | Warren | A Warren of Partridges | |
| Peacocks | Muster | A Muster of Peacocks | |
| Peacocks | Ostentation | An Ostentation of Peacocks | |
| Peacocks | Pride | A Pride of Peacocks | |
| Peacocks | Pulchritude | A Pulchritude of Peacocks | |
| Pelicans | Brief | A Brief of Pelicans | |
| Pelicans | Colony | A Colony of Pelicans | |
| Pelicans | Pod | A Pod of Pelicans | |
| Pelicans | Raft | A Raft of Pelicans | |
| Pelicans | Rookery | A Rookery of Pelicans | |
| Pelicans | Scoop | A Scoop of Pelicans | |
| Pelicans | Squadron | A Squadron of Pelicans | |
| Penguins | Colony | A Colony of Penguins | |
| Penguins | Crèche | A Crèche of Penguins | |
| Penguins | Formality | A Formality of Penguins | |
| Penguins | Huddle | A Huddle of Penguins | |
| Penguins | Parade | A Parade of Penguins | |
| Penguins | Parcel | A Parcel of Penguins | |
| Penguins | Rookery | A Rookery of Penguins | |
| Penguins (On Dry Land) | Waddle | A Waddle of Penguins | |
| Pheasants | Bevy | A Bevy of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants | Brace | A Brace of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants | Brood | A Brood of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants | Fesynes | A Fesynes of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants | Head | A Head of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants | Nest | A Nest of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants | Nye | A Nye of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants | Warren | A Warren of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants (Flushed) | Bouquet | A Bouquet of Pheasants Flushed | |
| Pheasants (On The Ground) | Covey | A Covey of Pheasants | |
| Pheasants (On The Ground) | Nide | A Nide of Pheasants | |
| Pigeons | Bunch | A Bunch of Pigeons | |
| Pigeons | Dropping | A Dropping of Pigeons | |
| Pigeons | Flight | A Flight of Pigeons | |
| Pigeons | Flock | A Flock of Pigeons | |
| Pigeons | Kit | A Kit of Pigeons | |
| Pigeons | Loft | A Loft of Pigeons | |
| Pigeons | Roost | A Roost of Pigeons | |
| Pintail | Knob | A Knob of Pintail | |
| Plovers | Band | A Band of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Congregation | A Congregation of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Deceit | A Deceit of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Flight | A Flight of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Flock | A Flock of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Leash | A Leash of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Ponderance | A Ponderance of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Stand | A Stand of Plovers | |
| Plovers | Wing | A Wing of Plovers | |
| Pochard | Flight | A Flight of Pochard | |
| Pochard | Flock | A Flock of Pochard | |
| Pochard | Raft | A Raft of Pochard | |
| Pochard | Rush | A Rush of Pochard | |
| Pochard (Small Number) | Knob | A Knob of Pochard | |
| Ptarmigans | Covey | A Covey of Ptarmigans | |
| Ptarmigans | Parliament | A Parliament of Ptarmigans | |
| Puffins | Circus | A Circus of Puffins | |
| Puffins | Improbability | An Improbability of Puffins | |
| Puffins | Loomery | A Loomery of Puffins | |
| Puffins | Raft | A Raft of Puffins | |
| Puffins (Flying) | Wheel | A Wheel of Puffins | |
| Puffins (On Land) | Colony | A Colony of Puffins | |
| Quail | Bevy | A Bevy of Quail | |
| Quail | Covey | A Covey of Quail | |
| Quail | Drift | A Drift of Quail | |
| Quail | Flight | A Flight of Quail | |
| Quail | Flush | A Flush of Quail | |
| Quail | Knob | A Knob of Quail | |
| Quail | Rout | A Rout of Quail | |
| Quail | Shake | A Shake of Quail | |
| Ravens | Conspiracy | A Conspiracy of Ravens | |
| Ravens | Parliament | A Parliament of Ravens | |
| Ravens | Storytelling | A Storytelling of Ravens | |
| Ravens | Tower | A Tower of Ravens | |
| Ravens | Unkindness | An Unkindness of Ravens | |
| Robins | Blush | A Blush of Robins | |
| Robins | Round | A Round of Robins | |
| Robins | Worm | A Worm of Robins | |
| Rooks | Building | A Building of Rooks | |
| Rooks | Clamour | A Clamour of Rooks | |
| Rooks | Congregation | A Congregation of Rooks | |
| Rooks | Parliament | A Parliament of Rooks | |
| Rooks | Shoal | A Shoal of Rooks | |
| Rooks | Storytelling | A Storytelling of Rooks | |
| Rooks | Wing | A Wing of Rooks | |
| Sandpipers | Fling | A Fling of Sandpipers | |
| Sea Fowl | Cloud | A Cloud of Sea Fowl | |
| Sparrows | Host | A Host of Sparrows | |
| Sparrows | Meinie | A Meinie of Sparrows | |
| Sparrows | Quarrel | A Quarrel of Sparrows | |
| Sparrows | Tribe | A Tribe of Sparrows | |
| Sparrows | Ubiquity | An Ubiquity of Sparrows | |
| Starlings | Chattering | A Chattering of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Cloud | A Cloud of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Clutter | A Clutter of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Congregation | A Congregation of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Constellation | A Constellation of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Filth | A Filth of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Flight | A Flight of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Murmuration | A Murmuration of Starlings | |
| Starlings | Vulgarity | A Vulgarity of Starlings | |
| Storks | Flight | A Flight of Storks | |
| Storks | Muster | A Muster of Storks | |
| Storks | Mustering | A Mustering of Storks | |
| Storks | Phalanx | A Phalanx of Storks | |
| Storks | Silence | A Silence of Storks | |
| Storks | Swoop | A Swoop of Storks | |
| Swallows | Flight | A Flight of Swallows | |
| Swallows | Gulp | A Gulp of Swallows | |
| Swallows | Kettle | A Kettle of Swallows | |
| Swallows | Richness | A Richness of Swallows | |
| Swallows | Swoop | A Swoop of Swallows | |
| Swans | Ballet | A Ballet of Swans | |
| Swans | Bank | A Bank of Swans | |
| Swans | Bevy | A Bevy of Swans | |
| Swans | Drift | A Drift of Swans | |
| Swans | Eyrar | An Eyrar of Swans | |
| Swans | Game | A Game of Swans | |
| Swans | Herd | A Herd of Swans | |
| Swans | Lamentation | A Lamentation of Swans | |
| Swans | Ponce | A Ponce of Swans | |
| Swans | Regatta | A Regatta of Swans | |
| Swans | Sounder | A Sounder of Swans | |
| Swans | Squadron | A Squadron of Swans | |
| Swans | Team | A Team of Swans | |
| Swans | Whiteness | A Whiteness of Swans | |
| Swans | Whiting | A Whiting of Swans | |
| Swans Flying | Wedge | A Wedge of Swans | |
| Swifts | Drift | A Drift of Swifts | |
| Swifts | Flock | A Flock of Swifts | |
| Thrushes | Mutation | A Mutation of Thrushes | |
| Toucans | Durante | A Durante of Toucans | |
| Turkeys | Brood | A Brood of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Death-Row | A Death-Row of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Dole | A Dole of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Dule | A Dule of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Flock | A Flock of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Gang | A Gang of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Posse | A Posse of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Raffle | A Raffle of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Raft | A Raft of Turkeys | |
| Turkeys | Rafter | A Rafter of Turkeys | |
| Turtle Doves | Dule | A Dule of Turtle Doves | |
| Turtle Doves | Peerage | A Peerage of Turtle Doves | |
| Turtle Doves | Pitying | A Pitying of Turtle Doves | |
| Vultures | Colony | A Colony of Vultures | |
| Vultures | Looming | A Looming of Vultures | |
| Vultures | Meal | A Meal of Vultures | |
| Vultures | Nest | A Nest of Vultures | |
| Vultures | Venue | A Venue of Vultures | |
| Vultures | Vortex | A Vortex of Vultures | |
| Vultures | Wake | A Wake of Vultures | |
| Woodcocks | Covey | A Covey of Woodcocks | |
| Woodcocks | Fall | A Fall of Woodcocks | |
| Woodcocks | Flight | A Flight of Woodcocks | |
| Woodcocks | Plump | A Plump of Woodcocks | |
| Woodpeckers | Descension | A Descension of Woodpeckers | |
| Woodpeckers | Descent | A Descent of Woodpeckers | |
| Woodpeckers | Gatling | A Gatling of Woodpeckers | |
| Wrens | Flock | A Flock of Wrens | |
| Wrens | Herd | A Herd of Wrens |
Frequently Asked Questions About Birds
What is the most famous bird collective noun?
The murder of crows is probably the most iconic, thanks to its dark and mysterious history.
What is the prettiest bird collective noun?
A flamboyance of flamingos wins for its color and flair.
Do these bird names have origins in folklore?
Yes, many terms like parliament of owls date back to medieval English hunting traditions known as “terms of venery.”
Birds in a Nutshell (eggshell)
Birds are some of the most recognizable and beloved animals on Earth, from tiny hummingbirds to powerful eagles. Their feathers, flight, colors, and songs give them a special place in nature and in human culture. Whether they migrate thousands of miles, dive from the sky at incredible speeds, or strut proudly across the ground, birds display incredible variety and intelligence. Keep exploring to learn the unique collective nouns used for swans, crows, penguins, and many other feathered friends!