The crow, a member of the genus Corvus, is a ubiquitous and remarkably intelligent bird found across nearly all temperate continents. These creatures are known for their striking black plumage and their sophisticated problem-solving abilities within the avian world. Humans have long observed the social nature of these birds, leading to a long-standing fascination with the specific terminology used to describe a gathering of them.
Answering the Question: A Murder of Crows
The most widely known and accepted term for a group of crows is a “murder of crows.” While a generic “flock” is technically accurate for any group of birds, “murder” is the distinct and traditional collective noun for the Corvus species. The term’s dramatic nature reflects historical human perceptions rather than modern scientific classification. Other less common collective nouns for crows include a “horde” or a “mob,” though these are rarely used. This specific naming convention suggests a deep cultural connection to the bird’s historical reputation.
The History Behind the Collective Noun
The origin of the term “murder” can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, specifically to the 15th century, as part of a linguistic practice known as “terms of venery.” These specialized collective nouns were compiled by educated aristocrats, often for the purpose of hunting or simply to demonstrate refinement. The names were frequently recorded in texts like The Book of Saint Albans from 1486.
These collective nouns were often based on prevailing folklore and cultural associations rather than the bird’s actual behavior. Crows were historically viewed with suspicion due to their jet-black coloring and their frequent presence near sites of death, such as battlefields and graveyards. Their scavenging habits inadvertently linked them to misfortune and dark omens in the popular imagination.
The dramatic name also stems from an old folk tale suggesting that crows would gather to hold a “parliament” to judge and execute one of their own for perceived wrongdoing. While this story lacks zoological basis, it contributed to the bird’s ominous reputation. Consequently, the term “murder” served as a colorful and memorable linguistic choice that captured the medieval European fear and mystique surrounding the bird.
The Complex Social Lives of Crows
Despite the name’s folkloric origins, modern understanding shows crows to be highly complex and social animals. Crows belong to the family Corvidae, which is recognized as one of the most intelligent groups of birds, possessing a brain-to-body size ratio comparable to that of many non-human primates. This high level of cognition allows them to engage in intricate problem-solving, including the use and even construction of tools to reach food sources.
The species exhibits sophisticated social learning, notably their ability to recognize and remember human faces. Crows can distinguish between a threatening human and a non-threatening one and will communicate this threat assessment to others. This often leads to “mobbing,” a defensive reaction where a group scolds and dive-bombs the identified individual.
Crow gatherings serve various purposes, differentiating a smaller social group from a massive congregation. A “murder” often refers to a smaller, more permanent social unit or family group, which may consist of a breeding pair and their offspring. Crows also form immense nighttime gatherings known as “roosts,” which can number in the thousands. Roosts are primarily used for safety in numbers and to share information about good foraging locations.
These gatherings are part of a complex social structure where individuals must track the social standing and relationships of dozens of other birds. They use a wide range of vocalizations as a flexible system of communication to convey warnings, intentions, and food directions.
Other Collective Nouns in the Corvid Family
The crow is part of the larger Corvid family, which includes ravens, rooks, and jays, and these related species also have their own unique collective nouns. Ravens, which are generally larger than crows, are most famously grouped as an “unkindness” or a “conspiracy.” These terms, similar to “murder,” reflect historical human judgment, suggesting the birds were perceived as malicious or treacherous.
Rooks, which are physically similar to crows but have distinct social habits, are sometimes referred to as a “parliament” or a “building.” “Parliament” suggests a gathering of wise individuals, while “building” reflects the way they construct their nests, called rookeries, in closely packed groups. Another corvid, the magpie, has been assigned the poetic name of a “tiding” or a “gulp.”
Like the “murder of crows,” these collective names are largely relics of the past, serving as linguistic curiosities. They highlight how early observers often anthropomorphized animal behavior, assigning names that reflected their own cultural views of the birds’ appearance or perceived personality traits.