", Rahans, CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, A group of nuns is referred to as "a superfluity. ", A group of butterflies is referred to as "a kaleidoscope. ADDucation’s list of collective nouns for birds also includes the individual … In the spirit of the fanciful language used by our ancestors, more modern terms for animal groups can have a fun twist, like a crash of rhinoceroses. A fleet/A shoal of bass. Sam majored in English and used to work as an English substitute teacher. Scurries are fairly unusual since squirrels are not pack animals by nature, … . A … English is a strange language, and nothing is stranger than the variety of collective nouns assigned to groups of particular animals. All Rights Reserved, Cats: a clowder or glaring; Kittens: a litter or kindle; Wild cats: a destruction, Pigs: a drift or drove (younger pigs), or a sounder or team (older pigs), Swans: a bevy or game (if in flight: a wedge). The word “flock” is a collective noun that you can use to describe a group of birds that existed together. A cluster of porcupine fish. Whenever animals gather in groups, they are formally called: To expand your vocabulary even more, YourDictionary can help you learn some animal names in Spanish. Really makes me question the accuracy when category 1 is "mammals and marsupials", and the first two animals listed are "albatross" and "alligator"... Now I don't need to think of what they are called cause I know it all! . " She is now an editor for a non-fiction publishing house. Thanks, and true I have never heard majority of these collective names. . And for a little light relief after learning that list check out our funny animal puns slideshow. Animal group names date back to medieval times when a list of collective terms for animals first appeared in The Book of Saint Albans, printed in 1486. The collective names given to groups of animals can be as unique as the animals themselves and highlight certain traits of that group. We've gathered together a list of 60 groups of animals and their collective nouns - some animal groups can have more than one collective noun - that you may or may not have heard of. Whether it is a group of mammals, birds or even insects, there is a unique collective noun to identify the specific group, although some of these names are rarely used. While some animals' collective names have become quite well-known over the years, most are still fairly obscure, and some are just downright strange. In most instances, you'll want to use "a group of . A SCURRY OF SQUIRRELS. Whether it is a group of mammals, birds or even insects, there is a unique collective noun to identify the specific group, although some of these names are rarely used. Thanks for the list. albatrosses – a weight of albatrosses. This list is may prove essential, however, if you are writing and want to use terms with more flare. bobolinks – a chain of bobolinks. Or that a crowd of sloths is referred to as a bed? avocets – a colony of avocets. ", The term "generation" comes from Matthew 23:33 in the King James version of the Bible: "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? If I left anything out, please let me know in the comments below. That’s why it’s crucially important for you to know, at least, one of the collective nouns for birds. Oh the wonder and joy of the English language!!!! A group of pandas is referred to as "an embarrassment. Some of these animals are solitary, so it is ironic that they have group names dedicated to their kind when they are rarely found in groups. Marsupials are members of the mammalian infraclass Marsupialia; they are mammals by definition. Not only is it fun to say certain names for groups of animals, but it is interesting as well. This led to the creation of the collective term "mutation. Ive been told a group of worms is called an Opeth. And I thought a group of Baboons was a parliament. !. A battery of barracudas. bitterns – a siege of bitterns. I am going to print out the list and try to learn them, see how many I am going to remember off head. Originally, these nouns were used primarily as hunting terms, but they have since extended into the everyday vernacular. Thanks, quite informative,l do appreciate, would you kindly do one for sounds, made by animals? ", A group of iguanas is referred to as "a slaughter. Most people are likely to use the general term flock for a group of eagles, rather than the proper term convocation. Remember that, and when you think of a group of skunks the word stench should immediately come to mind. This list of … ". But here's a couple notes. rather than the names on this list, since most of these terms are archaic and aren't very widely known. This book, written by a nun named Juliana Barnes, covered the topics of hunting, fishing, and coats of arms, and it also included the first-ever list of collective nouns for every type of animal one could possibly imagine. So, curiosity about them is extremely high. Animal: Collective Nouns: Birds in general: Brace (for a couple of birds that have been killed when hunted), Flight (when flying), Flock (when on the ground), Volary: Albatross: Rookery: Bitterns: Sedge: Bullfinches: Bellowing: Buzzards: Wake: Bobolinks: Chain: Capons: Mews: Chickens: Brood, Peep, Young chickens: Chattering, Clutch: Chicks (Various birds) Brood; Clutch: Coots: Cover A. albatrosses – a rookery of albatrosses. And if you do, just say "a group of . Still, it's good to know the correct collective noun, even if it's just to wow your friends. Collective names are not unique to animals. One, there's a category for "Mammals and Marsupials." A company of archer fish. ", National Library of Ireland, Public Domain via Flickr. Collective names for groups of animals are said to date back to medieval times, which may explain why some of these names can be strange, surprising or downright funny to us, such as an unkindness of ravens. Groups of people have odd collective names as well. A company of angelfish. Collective Nouns For Birds. Most people are likely to use the general term flock for a group of eagles, rather than the proper term convocation. . Collective Nouns for Animals, Mammals, Amphibians & Fishes. Your friends (and even teachers) might give you weird looks if you use these terms when speaking. bitterns – a sedge of bitterns. B. bitterns – a pretence of bitterns. Some examples include: Animal group names date back to medieval times when a list of collective terms for animals first appeared in The Book of Saint Albans, printed in 1486. auks – a raft of auks. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. A family of sardines. You'll never have to guess as to which group name is correct again. List of Collective Nouns for Mammals | Animal Group Names. Our class has been searching for the animal whose group is called a jug. Birds are animals whose lives differ from many other reptiles and mammals. During medieval times, it was a common belief that thrushes shed their legs and regrew them every 10 years. There you have it, folks! ", A group of crows is referred to as "a murder.". For example, did you know that a collection of crows is called a murder? Our list is by no means exhaustive, so please share more collective nouns for groups of animals in the comments below. A bind/A leap/A school/A shoal/A run/A draught of salmon.