What Does “An Obstinacy of Buffalo” Mean?
“Obstinacy” is a character reference as much as a collective noun, and buffalo have more than earned it. African buffalo in particular have a reputation, among guides, researchers, and anyone who’s spent time around them, for being unpredictable and stubborn, animals that don’t reliably flee from danger the way most grazing species do, and that can turn dangerous when cornered or wounded.
That reputation is part of why African buffalo are grouped among Africa’s “Big Five,” a category originally coined by big-game hunters to describe the five animals considered most dangerous to hunt on foot. Buffalo earned their spot not through speed or size alone, but through sheer refusal to back down. Wounded or angry buffalo have been known to circle back and ambush pursuers rather than simply running away, a level of stubborn persistence that makes “obstinacy” feel less like a cute collective noun and more like an accurate warning label.
Example: “The guide gave the obstinacy of buffalo a wide berth, well aware of their reputation.”
Other Collective Nouns for Buffalo
A group of buffalo goes by more than one name. You might also hear:
Related: Collective Nouns for Mammals