As I mentioned earlier today in an aside, I’ve been looking for a page like this for a while. It hasn’t really come up before, but recently I have been writing more of my children’s novel Symria which involves a few different magical animals, derived from existing animals. I’ve decided to include the full information here, in case the site goes down for some reason.
TERMS FOR GROUPS OF ANIMALS, BIRDS AND INSECTS
Ever wondered what the collective noun is for various groups of animals, birds or insects? Here are some of the obvious and not so obvious.
I would, however, like to point out that these terms have not been officially “authenticated”.
Some more terms for other species and the more “unusual” suggestions can be found here.
ANIMAL |
TERM |
ANTELOPES | A HERD of antelopes. |
ANTS |
A COLONY of ants. Courtesy of Melissa Bee – thanks. An ARMY of ants. A STATE or SWARM of ants. |
APES |
A SHREWDNESS of apes |
ASSES |
A HERD or PACE of asses A DROVE of asses. |
BABOONS | A TROOP of baboons
Courtesy of Michael Haberl |
BACTERIA | A CULTURE of bacteria. Chris Moffatt |
BADGERS |
A CETE of badgers |
BARRACUDAS | A BATTERY of barracudas. |
BASS | A SHOAL of bass. Courtesy of Melissa Bee. |
BATS | A COLONY of bats. Courtesy of Melissa Bee.A CLOUD of bats.
Keith Harris |
BEARS |
A SLOTH or SLEUTH of bears |
BEAVERS | A COLONY of beavers.A FAMILY of beavers. |
BEES |
A GRIST, HIVE, SWARM, DRIFT or BIKE of bees A CLUSTER, ERST or NEST of bees. |
BIRDS |
A FLOCK, FLIGHT, or PARCEL of birds. A DISSIMULATION of birds. Phillip Joss |
BISON | A HERD of bison. |
BITTERNS | A SEDGE of bitterns. Courtesy of Melissa Bee. |
BOAR (WILD) |
A SOUNDER or SINGULAR of wild boar |
BOBOLINKS | A CHAIN of bobolinks (whatever they might be!!) Courtesy of Melissa Bee.Just in case there is anyone else out there who, like me, doesn’t know what a Bobolink is I have been reliably informed by Amelia B., that it is a small bird. The male is black and white with a yellow cap on his head and the female is golden brown with brown markings.Another name for a bobolink is a whippoorwill (their call sounds a little like someone saying the word whippoorwill). Thanks to Eric Pittenger for this additional information. Clarice Olle has been kind enough to point out that the above is in fact incorrect. A bob-o-link (short for Robert of Lincoln) is NOT the same bird as a whippoorwill. This is confirmed on the site at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm |
BUCK |
A BRACE OR CLASH of bucks. Michael Haberl |
BUDGERIGARS | A CHATTER of budgerigars. |
BUFFALO |
A HERD, TROUP, GANG or OBSTINACY of buffalo |
BULLOCKS | A DROVE of bullocks. |
BUTTERFLIES | A SWARM or RABBLE of butterflies.A KALEIDOSCOPE of butterflies. Christina GonzalesA FLUTTER of butterflies. (Priscilla Weikert sent in this one) |
BUZZARDS | A WAKE of buzzards. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
CAMELS | A CARAVAN, FLOCK or TRAIN of camels. |
CARIBOU | A HERD of caribou. |
CATERPILLARS | An ARMY of caterpillars. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
CATTLE |
A HERD, DROVE or DRIFT of cattle. |
CATS |
A CLOWDER of cats. (sent in by Paul Chapin) Courtesy of Melissa Bee A CLUTTER of cats. A COMFORT of cats. Contributed by Gary Goldring |
CHEETAHS | A COALITION of cheetahs Submitted by Lisa Ashley Mayock |
CHICKEN |
A BROOD, CLUTCH, flock, run or PEEP of chicken |
CHICKS | A CLUTCH OR CHATTERING of chicks.
Thanks to Michael Haberl |
CHOUGHS | A CHATTERING of choughs. |
CLAMS | A BED of clams (contributed by Clyde Hogendobler) |
COBRAS | A QUIVER of cobras Michael Haberl |
COCKROACHES | An INTRUSION of cockroaches. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
COLTS | A RAG of colts. |
COOTS | A COVERT or COVER* of coots. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
CORMORANTS | A GULP (SOLITUDE)* OR FLIGHT of cormorants. *Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
COWS | A KINE of cows (12 cows are a FLINK) Michael Haberl |
COYOTE | A PACK of coyotesA TRAIN of coyotes Donald KrossA BAND of coyotes Michael Haberl |
CRABS | A BUSHEL of crabs Submitted by Kristen Reece |
CRANES |
A HERD, SEIGE or SEDGE* of cranes * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
CROCODILES | A CONGREGATION or NESTA BASK or FLOAT of crocodiles. Michael HaberlA STRIKER (unconfirmed) Mike Paget |
CROWS |
A MURDER of crows Jill Dobbs, Rachael Blomeley and anon.) |
CUBS |
A LITTER of cubs |
CURLEW |
A HERD of curlew |
CURS | A COWARDICE of curs. Michael Haberl |
DEER ROE DEER |
A HERD, LEASH or MOB of deer A BEVY of roe deer. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
DOGFISH | A TROOP of dogfish |
DOGS |
A PACK (wild dogs) or KENNEL of dogs |
DOLPHINS | A SCHOOL of dolphins.A POD of dolphins. Thanks to Audrie Dugger |
DONKEYS | A HERD or PACE of donkeys/asses Courtesy of Melissa Bee
Michael Haberl |
DOTTEREL | A TRIP of dotterel. Courtesy of Melissa BeeApparently a Dotterel is a rare plover of upland areas of Eurasia.
Thanks to Linwood Lyons for supplying this useful information. |
DOVES |
A FLIGHT, DULE or DOLE of doves. |
DUCKS |
A RAFT, PADDLING or BUNCH of ducks on water. |
DUNLINS |
A FLING of dunlins |
EAGLES | A CONVOCATION of eagles.A CONGREGATION of eagles.
Sent in by Mike Field |
EELS | An ARRAY of eels.
John Beumer |
ELEPHANTS |
A HERD or PARADE* of elephants *also Raila and Jon Foley A CRASH of elephants. Submitted by Susan Walsh |
ELK |
A HERD of elk. |
EMUS | A MOB of emus. Michael Haberl |
FERRETS | A BUSINESS of ferrets (contribtued by Clyde Hogendobler, Phillip Joss & Brian Schott) |
FINCHES |
A CHARM of finches |
FISH |
A SHOAL, DRAFT, NEST, SCHOOL* of fish. |
FLAMINGOES | A STAND of flamingoes. Courtesy of Melissa BeeA FLAMBOYANCE of flamingoes. Sent in by Kevin Yocum |
FLIES |
A CLOUD, HATCH, BUSINESS* or SWARM of flies. *Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
FOXES | A SKULK of foxes (contributed by Clyde Hogendobler) A CLOUD, TROOP, or COMPANY of foxes. A LEASH OR EARTH of foxes.* *Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
FROGS | An ARMY or COLONY of frogs. Michael Haberl |
GEESE |
A GAGGLE or FLOCK of geese. |
GERBILS | A HORDE of gerbils. |
GIRAFFES |
A CORPS, TROOP, HERD , TOWER*, KINDERGARTEN** or JOURNEY*** of giraffes * Courtesy of Melissa Bee ** Courtesy of James Marohn ***Raila and Jon Foley |
GNATS | A CLOUD OR HORDE of gnats. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
GNUS | An IMPLAUSIBILITY of gnus. Andrew Davidson |
GOATS |
A FLOCK, HERD or TRIBE of goats A TRIP of goats (This is not one I have heard of before – thank you Lee Lundberg) |
GOLDFINCHES | A CHARM of goldfinches. |
GOLDFISH | A TROUBLING of goldfish. |
GORILLAS | A BAND of gorillas (contributed by Clyde Hogendobler) |
GRASSHOPPERS | A CLOUD of grasshoppers. |
GREYHOUNDS | A LEASH of greyhounds. |
GROUSE |
A PACK or COVEY of grouse |
GUILLEMOTS | A BAZAAR of guillemots. |
GUINEA PIGS | A GROUP of guinea pigs
Mike Holden |
GULLS | A COLONY of gulls. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
HAMSTERS | A HORDE of hamsters. Thanks to Margie and John for this. |
HARES | A HUSK, DOWN or MUTE of hares. |
HAWKS | A CAST, KETTLE (flying in large numbers) or BOIL (two or more) of hawks. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
HEDGEHOGS | An ARRAY of hedgehogs. |
HENS | A BROOD of hens. |
HERONS | A SCATTERING, SEIGE or SEDGE* of herons. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
HERRING | An ARMY of herring. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
HIPPOPOTAMI | A BLOAT of hippopotami (or hippopotamuses) |
HOGS | A DRIFT or PARCEL of hogs. Michael Haberl |
HORNETS | A NEST of hornets. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
HORSES |
A STUD or STRING of horses (Breeding) *Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
HOUNDS |
A PACK, KENNEL, MUTE or CRY of hounds Possibly LEASH of hounds (but cannot confirm this fact) Thanks to John Branda for this suggestion. |
HYENAS | A CACKLE of hyenas. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
INSECTS |
A SWARM of insects |
JACKRABBITS | A HUSK of jackrabbits. |
JAYS | A PARTY or SCOLD of jays. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
JELLYFISH | A BROOD, SMUCK or SMACK of jellyfish. |
KANGAROOS |
A MOB or TROOP of kangaroos |
KITTENS |
A KENDLE, KINDLE or LITTER of kittens. |
LADYBIRDS (LADYBUGS/LADYBEETLES) | A LOVELINESS of ladybirds. Sent in by Simon Odell – not authenticated but too nice to omit. |
LAPWINGS | A DESERT or DECEIT* of lapwings. *Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
LARKS |
A BEVY of larks. |
LEMURS | A GROUP of lemurs |
LEOPARDS | A LEAP of leopards (contributed by Clyde Hogendobler) |
LICE | A FLOCK of lice. |
LIONS |
A PRIDE, FLOCK, SAWT, SOUSE, or TROOP of lions. |
LOCUSTS | A CLOUD, PLAGUE or SWARM of locusts. |
MAGPIES | A TITTERING, TIDING, GULP, MURDER or CHARM* of magpies. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
MALLARDS | A SORD or BRACE* of mallards. (sent in by Elazar Friedman) * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
MARES | A STUD of mares. Michael Haberl |
MARTENS | A RICHNESS of martens. Courtesy of Melissa Bee A RICHESSE of martens. Submitted by Jayne Collins |
MEERKATS | A MOB of meerkats. Sent in by Kristin Howard |
MINNOWS | A STEAM of minnows. |
MOLES | A LABOUR of moles. Phillip Joss |
MONKEYS |
A TROOP, CARTLOAD or BARREL* of monkeys * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
MOOSE | A HERD of moose. |
MULES | A BARREN, PACK* or SPAN of mules. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
NIGHTINGALES | A WATCH of nightingales. |
OTTERS | A FAMILY, BEVY or ROMP* of otters. * Courtesy of Melissa BeeA RAFT of otters Submitted by Donald Cheek. |
OWLS | A PARLIAMENT of owls. (thanks to anonymous contributor & Raila and Jon Foley)A STARE or WISDOM of owls. Grant SchneiderA STUDY of owls. Submitted by Amelia B. |
OXEN | A TEAM or YOKE of oxen.. Courtesy of Melissa Bee A DROVE or HERD of oxen Michael HaberlA SPAN* of oxen Submitted by Richard Bowen*(I believe this may refer to a team of two or more) |
OYSTERS | A BED of oysters Contributed by Clyde Hogendobler and Kristen Reece |
PARROTS | A PANDEMONIUM or COMPANY* of parrots. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
PARTRIDGES |
A COVEY of partridges |
PEACOCKS | A MUSTER or OSTENTATION* of peacocks. * Courtesy of Melissa BeeA PULCHRITUDE of peacocks. *Suggested by S. M. Steven. |
PEEPS | A LITTER of peeps. Michael Haberl |
PENGUINS |
A ROOKERY or COLONY* of penguins * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
PHEASANTS |
A HEAD, NYE, NEST, BOUQUET, NIDE (BROOD)* or BEVY of pheasants |
PIGEONS |
A KIT of pigeons (flying together) I have been advised by Terry West that this can also be a “LOFT” of pigeons. I am, however, a little nervous about this one as I know pigeons’ living quarters are called a Loft. |
PIGS |
A HERD, TRIP or LITTER of pigs |
PLOVERS |
A STAND, WING OR CONGREGATION of plovers |
PONIES | A DROVE OR STRING of ponies. |
PORCUPINES | A PRICKLE of porcupines. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
PORPOISES |
A HERD, SCHOOL or POD of porpoises. |
PRAIRIE DOGS | A COTERIE of prairie dogs. Ken |
PTARMIGAN |
A COVEY of Ptarmigan |
PUPS |
A LITTER of pups A PUDDLE of puppies (thanks to Sarah Smith for this one) |
QUAIL |
A BEVY, DRIFT or COVEY* of quail * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
RABBITS | A BURY, COLONY, CIRCLE, NEST, HERD (domestic), LITTER (young) of rabbits. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
RACEHORSES |
A STRING of racehorses |
RATS | A COLONY of rats. A PACK or SWARM of rats. Michael Haberl |
RATTLESNAKES | A RHUMBA of rattlesnakes. Michael Haberl. |
RAVENS | An UNKINDNESS of ravens.A MURDER of ravens. Michelle Hellstern |
REINDEER | A HERD of reindeer. |
RHINOS | A CRASH or HERD of rhinos (contributed by Clyde Hogendobler) Michael Haberl/ Raila and Jon Foley |
ROEBUCKS | A BEVY of roebucks. |
ROOKS | A BUILDING or ROOKERY of rooks. A CLAMOUR of rooks. Michael Haberl A PARLIAMENT of rooks. Clayton Deathe |
RUFFS |
A HILL of ruffs |
SARDINES | A FAMILY of sardines. |
SCHNAUZERS | A STENCH of SchnauzersNo complaints please, this was sent in by DD a Schnauzer owner who is a Veterinary Surgeon (identity protected by me, for obvious reasons!!!!) |
SEA OTTERS | A RAFT of sea otters Submitted by Donald Cheek. |
SEAGULLS | A FLOCK of seagulls.
Jason Murray |
SEALS |
A HERD, HAREM, TRIP or ROOKERY of seals |
SHARKS | A SHIVER of sharks. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
SHEEP |
A FLOCK, HERD, HIRSEL, PACK, DROVE* or TRIP of sheep *Courtesy of Melissa Bee A MOB of sheep (Australian) Courtesy of Anthony Coates |
SKYLARKS | An ASCENSION of skylarks.
David Milne |
SNAKES | A DEN, BED, PIT or SLITHER of snakes.A NEST or KNOT of snakes. Courtesy of Melissa BeeA BROOD of snakes (a family group) Robert Richards |
SNIPE |
A WISP or WALK of snipe |
SPARROWS | A HOST of sparrows. |
SQUIRRELS | A DRAY or SCURRY* of squirrels. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
STARLINGS | A MURMATION of starlings. (courtesy of Elazar Friedman)A MURMURATION of starlings. Corrected by Andrew OkulitchA FILTH of starlings (courtesy of Wayne Bickley) |
STORKS | A MUSTERING of storks. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
SWALLOWS |
A FLIGHT or GULP of swallows |
SWANS |
A GAME, BANK, TEAM, HERD or BEVY* of swans. |
SWIFTS | A FLOCK of swifts Michael Haberl |
SWINE |
A HERD, DRIFT OR SOUNDER of swine |
TEAL | A SPRING of teal. |
TERMITES | A BROOD, COLONY, NEST OR SWARM of termites. |
THRUSHES | A MUTATION of thrushes. |
TIGERS | An AMBUSH or STREAK* of tigers. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
TOADS | A KNOT or KNAB of toads (courtesy of Clyde Hogendobler) |
TROUT | A HOVER of trout. |
TURKEYS | A RAFTER or GANG* of turkeys. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
TURTLE DOVES | A PITYING or DULE of turtle doves. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
TURTLES | A BALE, DOLE or NEST* of turtles (contributed by Clyde Hogendobler) A TURN of turtles. * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
UNICORNS | A BLESSING of unicorns. Submitted by Jayne Collins. |
VIPERS | A NEST of vipers. Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
VULTURES | A COMMITTEE of vultures. Contributed by Kevin Yocum |
WALRUSES | A HERD or POD of walruses. |
WASPS | A PLADGE of wasps.A PAIL of wasps. |
WATERFOWL |
A BUNCH, KNOB, TRIP or PLUMP* of waterfowl * Courtesy of Melissa Bee |
WEASELS | A **BOOGLE, GANG, *CONFUSION or PACK of weasels.
** Contributed by Dr Scott A McGinlay BVMS MRCVS DVM *Submitted by Wayne Bickley |
WHALES |
A SCHOOL, HERD or GAM of whales |
WIDGEON |
A COMPANY or TRIP of widgeon |
WILDFOWL |
A BUNCH, TRIP or PLUMP of wildfowl. |
WOLVES |
A PACK or ROUT of wolves |
WOODCOCKS | A FALL of woodcocks. |
WOODPECKERS | A DESCENT of woodpeckers. |
WRENS |
A HERD of wrens A CHIME of wrens Phillip Joss |
ZEBRAS | A ZEAL, HERD or DAZZLE* of zebras * Sent in by Raila and Jon Foley |
* * * * *
Featured Photographer
One thought on “Terms For Animal Collectives, Groups Of Animals, Birds And Insects”
Comments are closed.