Collective Nouns
collective nouns for animals
I find the English language fascinating! If you’ve read many of my hubs and articles, you probably already know this. One of my favorite aspects of the English language is the use of collective nouns. We English speakers aren’t happy with simply lumping creatures of the same species into a “group.” No, we like to give the particular group of critters a special name. From an “army of ants” to a “zeal of zebras,” the English language is full of interesting collective nouns. Some collective nouns, of course, are familiar to just about everyone, like “herd,” for example. You know a group of horses is referred to as a herd, but did you know that a stallion’s group of mares is called a “harem”? Some collective nouns in the English language are really interesting and unique!
Everyone knows that the collective noun for horses is "herd."
What is a collective noun?
Before we go any further, what is a collective noun? A collective noun is a word that’s used to describe a group of things. Collective nouns can be used to define concepts, people, items, emotions, birds, mammals, fish, insects, amphibians, and more. Personally, I find the collective nouns that define groups of like creatures the most interesting. And by “creatures,” I’m talking about any species that’s included in the kingdom Animalia.
I first really became interested in collective nouns when I was teaching at our local high school. I and some other teachers who were fascinated with the English language used to email each other with new collective nouns we’d discovered. I kept a running list of collective nouns for years, and I’ve included them below. I know there are more out there!
a grist of bees
Insects:
Army of ants
Colony of lice
Grist of bees
Scourge of mosquitoes
Constituency of caterpillars
Swarm of flies
Cluster of dragonflies
Rabble of butterflies
Cloud of gnats
Intrusion of roaches
Plague of locusts
The collective noun for frogs is "knot."
Amphibians:
Knot of frogs
Maelstrom of salamanders
A group of lizards is a "lounge."
Reptiles:
Float of crocodiles
Lounge of lizards
Congregation of alligators
Bale of turtles
Quiver of cobras
Bank of Komodo dragons
Nest of snakes
Pit of vipers
Rhumba of rattlesnakes
Is this a school of fish or a hover of trout?
Fish:
School of fish
Hover of trout
Shiver of sharks
Pipe of eels
Run of salmon
Troop of dogfish
Glint of goldfish
Shoal of herring
A group of pelicans is a "gulp."
a "tower" of giraffes
a "parade" of elephants
Birds:
Covey of quail
Conspiracy of ravens
Gaggle of geese
Skein of flying geese
Chattering of chicks
Wake of buzzards
Durante of toucans
Raft of ducks
Gulp of cormorants
Scold of bluejays
Murder of crows
Aerie of eagles
Parliament of owls
Kit of pigeons
Suit of mallards
Muster of peacocks
Exaltation of larks
Gatling of woodpeckers
Nide of pheasants
Drumming of grouse
wreck of seagulls
murmuration of starlings
building of rooks
Sedge of cranes
Waddle of penguins
Loft of pigeons
Pandemonium of parrots
Scoop of pelicans
Wisp of snipe
Radiance of cardinals
Fall of woodcocks
Game of swans
Kettle of hawks
Stand of flamingoes
Dule of doves
Charm of finches
Watch of nightingales
Mammals:
Herd of horses
Harem of mares
Pride of lions
Marmalade of ponies
Parade of elephants
Sleuth of bears
Sneak of weasels
Down of rabbits
Bloat of hippopotamuses
Colony of bats
Span of mules
Blessing of Narwhal
Scurry of squirrels
Husk of hares
Plot of lemurs
Cluster of antelope
Passel of opossums
Puddle of platypuses
Pack of wolves
Shrewdness of apes
Crash of seals
Gang of elk
Pack of rats
Coffle of donkeys
Cackle of hyenas
Coalition of cheetahs
Gang of meerkats
Mob of kangaroos
Troop of bison
Pod of whales, dolphins, porpoises
Saladbowl of hamsters
Band of gorillas
Ambush of tigers
Tower of giraffes
Tribe of goats
Fold of sheep
Piddle of puppies
Cartload of chimps
Sounder of wild boar
Business of ferrets
Labor of moles
Lodge of beavers
Skulk of foxes
Congress of baboons
Aarmory of aardvarks
Mischief of mice
Clowder of cats
Troop of monkeys
Cete of badgers
Pot of water buffalo
Leap of leopards
Crash of rhinoceroses
Prickle of hedgehogs
Population of koalas
Measure of tapirs
Romp of otter
Band of coyotes
Wisdom of wombats
Clan of hyenas
Gaze of raccoons
Buffoonery of orangutans
Flock of camels
Drove of cattle
Rangale of deer
The collective noun for starfish is "group."
Other:
Weyr of dragons
Clew of worms
Smack of jellyfish
Audience of squid
Blessing of unicorns
Group of starfish
Cast of crabs
Clutter of spiders
Bed of clams
Hive of oysters
Hood of snails
Comments
Vanessa on October 27, 2012:
It's a 'constillation of starfish'.
Donna Cosmato from USA on December 01, 2011:
Excellent job on putting this together and what a valuable resource for writers! I must admit I would probably never have paired "rabble" with butterflies but what do I know!
While I won't mind running into the Aarmory of aardvarks as I've always wanted to see one of those critters up close, I'm planning to avoid the leap of leopards in every possible way :)
Seriously, absolutely wonderful and a must bookmark and share read...so I did!
drbj and sherry from south Florida on December 01, 2011:
Fascinating collection, Holle. Some of these collective nouns appear to be very descriptive, e.g., durante of toucans (named for Jimmuy Durante of the large nose, perhaps)? and buffoonery of orangs (they are pretty funny).
Not to forget: congress of baboons modeled after the U.S. version no doubt. Thanks for the amusement.
Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 01, 2011:
Janie, I very much appreciate your comment!
Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 01, 2011:
Random, glad you liked it!
Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 01, 2011:
Thanks, Froggie!
Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 01, 2011:
Ava, I figured as writers, a couple of these might be useful! lol
Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 01, 2011:
Same here, Mary! But I can always blame it on my meds. lol
Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 01, 2011:
for real, Robin! Who the heck came up with that one??
Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 01, 2011:
Many thanks, Millionaire!
Mary Krenz from Florida's Space Coast on December 01, 2011:
very interesting, I do love to read your hubs!
Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 30, 2011:
Great resource!
Greg Boudonck from Returned to an Isla Del Sol - Puerto Rico Will Rise Strong on November 30, 2011:
Great hub!!!!!!!!
Mary Hyatt from Florida on November 30, 2011:
I can't wait to impress my friends with some of these. That's assuming I'll remember a couple. I'll probably forget!
Robin Edmondson from San Francisco on November 30, 2011:
Wow! That is so fun. I would get the strangest looks if I said, "Come look at the saladbowl of hamsters!" What a great list, thanks!
Shasta Matova from USA on November 30, 2011:
Oh my goodness what a big list. I hadn't heard of many of them. Great pics too! Voted up.
