50 Collective Nouns for Groups of Animals

While terms like packs, schools, and herds are familiar, have you ever heard of a wake, a business, or a flamboyance to describe animal groups?

1. A CACKLE OF HYENAS

Although clan is the more commonly used term, the word cackle fits perfectly. The laughter and chuckles of spotted hyenas may seem amusing, but they actually convey emotions like anger, frustration, and signals to keep their distance.

2. A SHREWDNESS OF APES

This term has been in use since the late 1400s—back then, shrewdness described the playful and cunning behavior of apes. Given what we now know about their intelligence, the term remains fitting.

3. A RAFT OF OTTERS

The Oxford English Dictionary notes that many water-dwelling creatures, including ducks and puffins, also gather in formations called rafts.

4. A MURDER OF CROWS

During the 15th century, crows were often seen as harbingers of death and believed to carry messages from dark or malevolent forces.

5. A SCURRY OF SQUIRRELS

Scurries are relatively rare because squirrels are naturally solitary creatures. The term dray, which is more commonly used, describes a nest housing a mother squirrel and her offspring.

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6. A WAKE OF VULTURES

For vultures, the term wake is used when they are feeding on a dead animal. The less grim terms kettle and committee are used for groups in flight and those resting in trees, respectively.

7. A BATTERY OF BARRACUDAS

A single barracuda can be frightening, but encountering a battery of them? It’s time to make a quick exit!

8. A MUSTER OF STORKS

The term muster can also describe a group of peacocks or peafowl, though an ostentation of peacocks paints a more vivid picture.

9. A WALK OF SNAILS

Given that walk is something snails can’t actually do, this term feels oddly fitting. The less common but still valid term escargatoire might be a more precise descriptor.

10. A PARLIAMENT OF OWLS

The exact origin of this phrase is uncertain, with references appearing as early as the late 19th century. It likely draws inspiration from Chaucer's poem "The Parliament of Fowls," combined with the use of parliament to describe groups of rooks.

11. AN AMBUSH OF TIGERS

Given that tigers are typically solitary, encountering a group of them would undoubtedly feel like a sudden ambush.

12. A COTERIE OF PRAIRIE DOGS

While large communities of prairie dogs are known as colonies, the smaller, tightly-knit family groups are referred to as coteries.

13. A MUTATION OF THRUSH

An ancient and medieval belief that thrushes shed and regrew their legs every ten years gave rise to the term a mutation of thrush.

14. A MEMORY OF ELEPHANTS

While a herd of elephants is the more familiar term, a memory is also an accepted descriptor. It’s unclear why a pack of pachyderms never gained popularity …

15. A SKULK OF FOXES

This term likely originated from the behavior of mother foxes, who care for their young in underground burrows.

16. A SCOLD OF JAYS

Jays are also found in groups called bands or parties.

17. A COVEY OF QUAIL

Though they can also be referred to as a flock or a bevy, the term covey for quail carries a more poetic charm.

18. A HOVER OF TROUT

Since trout often swim together near the bottom of lakes or rivers, they appear to hover above the waterbed. Alternatively, the term may derive from an old word for an overhanging rock where fish, such as trout, seek shelter.

19. A BALE OF TURTLES

A group of turtles tucked into their shells might resemble a field of round or square hay bales.

20. A RHUMBA OF RATTLESNAKES

Given the circumstances, encountering so many rattlesnakes in one place might just make you feel like dancing—especially with all those rattles sounding off.

21. A CHARM OF HUMMINGBIRDS

If a single hummingbird is delightful, imagine the enchantment of an entire group of them.

22. A BUSINESS OF FERRETS

The Book of Saint Albans referred to ferrets as a busyness ("besynes"), a term that has since evolved into "business."

23. A STUBBORNNESS OF RHINOCEROSES

A group of rhinos can also be referred to as a crash.

24. A PRICKLE OF PORCUPINES

Is there a more fitting term than this?

25. AN IMPLAUSIBILITY OF GNUS

Who would have thought?

26. AN UNKINDNESS OF RAVENS

Ravens are not the most sociable birds. They frequently band together to intimidate intruders or prey. Given their eerie reputation, a group of ravens is also referred to as a conspiracy.

27. A HAREM OF SEALS

When a dominant male is accompanied by a group of females, it’s called a harem. If it’s simply a group of breeding seals, it’s referred to as a rookery.

28. A MOB OF KANGAROOS

Similar to human mobs, a dominant leader (a "boomer," or adult male) typically holds power briefly before being overthrown by a competing boomer.

29. A GAM OF WHALES

The term gam may stem from "gammon," which refers to deceptive talk. Given that scientists have only recently started decoding whale vocalizations, it seems the gam’s gammon is quite convincing.

30. A POD OF PELICANS

They are also referred to as a squadron.

31. A GENERATION OF VIPERS

While groups of snakes are typically called a pit, nest, or den, they are often seen as solitary animals. As a result, collective nouns for specific snake species tend to be more imaginative. The phrase "generation of vipers" likely comes from the King James Bible, where Matthew 23:33 states, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"

32. A DESCENT OF WOODPECKERS

While woodpeckers are famous for their pecking behavior to find food, some species also dive rapidly into anthills and termite mounds as another foraging technique.

33. A RUN OF SALMON

A salmon run refers not only to the mass migration of salmon upstream but also to a group of these fish.

34. A KALEIDOSCOPE OF BUTTERFLIES

Groups of butterflies are also known as flutters.

35. A WISDOM OF WOMBATS

Wombats possess large brains and are highly playful, traits often associated with intelligence.

36. A ROUT OF WOLVES

While pack is the more commonly used term today, an ancient term for wolves is rout, derived from Middle French, meaning company.

37. A SHIVER OF SHARKS

The term shiver resonates more with humans who feel a chill at the sight of a large group of sharks, likely why it has gained popularity in recent years.

38. A SCOURGE OF MOSQUITOES

While they are often referred to as a swarm, the term scourge feels equally fitting.

39. A SLEUTH OF BEARS

This term doesn’t relate to any investigative skills bears might have—it originates from the Old English word for sloth, meaning slow (and sloth is also occasionally used as a collective noun).

40. A GAZE OF RACCOONS

Male raccoons are known as boars, while females are called sows.

41. A SIEGE OF HERONS

When herons settle at a new lake or river, the fish there would undoubtedly feel besieged.

42. A FLAMBOYANCE OF FLAMINGOS

Credit to whoever coined this flawless term.

43. A DESTRUCTION OF CATS

The term destruction specifically describes a group of wild or feral cats. Domesticated cats, on the other hand, form a clowder.

44. A FEVER OF STINGRAYS

Swimming alongside a fever of stingrays would undoubtedly spike your blood pressure, to say the least.

45. A SKEIN OF GEESE

The term skein is used when geese (or other wild birds) are in flight, whereas the term gaggle refers to geese on the ground or domesticated geese.

46. A BUNCH OF WORMS

Not the most imaginative term, but when unsure, "a bunch" works for just about anything.

47. AN EXALTATION OF LARKS

The term an exaltation of larks traces back to the 15th-century Book of Saint Albans, which, due to its heraldry section, was also the first book in England to be printed in color.

48. A FAMILY OF SARDINES

Over a dozen fish species can be marketed as "sardines" in stores. Here, family refers to a large group rather than a parent-child relationship.

49. A BARREL OF MONKEYS

It’s not just a game—it’s an actual term. Monkeys can also gather as a carload, troop, or tribe.

50. A DAZZLE OF ZEBRAS

While often referred to as a herd, the terms zeal or dazzle of zebras add a unique and charming touch.