A group of ducks has many different names, reflecting a long history of human observation of these waterfowl. Unlike most animals, ducks have a multitude of specific collective nouns used to describe their gatherings. The name often depends on the birds’ location, such as whether they are flying, swimming, or sitting on land, highlighting their social structures and behaviors.
The Most Common Collective Nouns
The most common term for any group of ducks, regardless of their activity, is a flock. This general term applies to nearly any collection of birds, making it the most universally understood answer. Ducks often form a flock for safety, as being in a group makes it more difficult for a predator to single out an individual.
A pair of ducks is called a brace. A team is another widely used term, particularly when describing ducks moving together in a coordinated fashion, such as during migration. A group of young ducks, or ducklings, is specifically called a brood.
Naming Ducks Based on Context
The collective noun for ducks becomes more descriptive when their immediate environment is considered. When ducks are swimming together on the surface of the water, the group is frequently referred to as a raft or a paddling. The term “raft” visually describes a tightly packed group of ducks floating cohesively.
Ducks in flight are sometimes called a flight or a skein. The term “skein” is often used for migrating waterfowl flying in the characteristic V-formation, which helps reduce wind resistance and conserve energy. A group of ducks standing or walking on the ground can be known as a waddling of ducks, describing their unique gait on land.
The Origin of Unique Collective Terms
Many of the more unusual names for a group of ducks, such as a badling, a sord, or a safe, are historical terms. These collective nouns are known as “terms of venery,” established largely in the late Middle Ages, particularly the 15th century. They were created by hunting enthusiasts and poets who wished to assign unique names to groups of different animals.
Terms of Venery
The term badling is thought to be an archaic corruption of “paddling,” referencing ducks moving on the water. A sord is specifically associated with Mallards, possibly derived from the Middle English word “sorde,” meaning “to rise up in flight.” While many of these terms, like a safe of ducks (a group on land), are rarely used today, they remain in the lexicon as remnants of early human attempts to classify the natural world.