A specialized vocabulary of collective nouns exists for groups of animals. These terms go beyond simple words like “group” or “bunch,” providing unique names for aggregations of specific species. They reflect historical insights, observed behaviors, and imaginative flair.
Understanding Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are single words used to describe a gathering of a particular animal species. While general terms like “herd” or “flock” apply broadly, many animals possess their own distinctive collective nouns. These terms are rooted in historical practice, observations of animal characteristics or behaviors, and tradition. Early use, often called “terms of venery,” emerged from medieval hunting culture in England and France. They served to differentiate groups of animals, sometimes with humorous or poetic intent.
A Menagerie of Names
Mammals
For large mammals, familiar terms include a “pride” of lions, reflecting their regal bearing, and a “herd” of elephants, highlighting their social grouping. Giraffes, with their towering height, gather in a “tower.” Smaller mammals also have unique designations, such as a “business” of ferrets, perhaps alluding to their energetic activity, or a “clowder” of cats. A group of apes can be called a “shrewdness,” while a collection of badgers is a “cete.”
Birds
Bird collective nouns are particularly varied and often quite imaginative. A group of owls forms a “parliament,” possibly linked to their perceived wisdom. Crows gather in a “murder,” a term with historical and folkloric associations. Finches, known for their lively songs, congregate in a “charm.” Geese on the ground are a “gaggle,” but in flight, they become a “skein” or “wedge.”
Aquatic Animals and Insects
Aquatic animals and insects also contribute to this vocabulary. Fish often swim in a “school” or “shoal.” Dolphins and whales form a “pod.” Insects like bees gather in a “swarm” or “hive,” while ants form a “colony.” Jellyfish can be found in a “smack.”
The Whys and Hows Behind the Names
The origins of these collective nouns are diverse, often stemming from observed animal characteristics or behaviors. A “leap” of leopards, for instance, describes their agile movement. The “cackle” of hyenas directly reflects the distinct sound they produce. A “murmuration” of starlings evokes the sound of their massive, synchronized flights.
Some terms are descriptive of an animal’s physical traits or habitat. A “bloat” of hippos relates to their large bodies and ability to float. A “bed” of oysters refers to where they live.
Others derive from historical context, particularly from medieval hunting traditions. Many of these “terms of venery” were recorded in books like “The Book of Saint Albans” in 1486. While some of these terms were likely humorous or fanciful creations, they have persisted in the English language, adding a unique dimension to how we describe the animal kingdom.