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Global Animal Guide

Collective nouns for animals

A collective noun is the special word for a group of a particular animal. A group of lions is called a pride, a group of crows is an unkindness, and a group of giraffes is a tower. Below is an A–Z reference for every animal in the guide, grouped by type.

  • a pride of lions
  • a pack of wolves
  • an unkindness of ravens
  • a parliament of owls
  • a tower of giraffes
  • a dazzle of zebras

Mammals

Collective nouns for mammals
Animal A group is called
Aardvark with long snout foraging at night on African savanna Aardvark a group
Aardwolf with vertical stripes and mane erect standing on short-grass savanna at dusk Aardwolf a pack
African elephant with large tusks and ears walking across a dusty savanna African Elephant a herd (also parade)
African wild dog with mottled coat in savanna African Wild Dog a pack
Alpaca with thick fleece grazing in a green field Alpaca a herd
American bison with a shaggy dark brown coat and curved horns standing on open prairie American Bison a herd (also gang)
American black bear foraging in a deciduous forest American Black Bear a sleuth (also sloth)
American mink on riverbank American Mink a pack
Asian elephant with smaller ears walking through tropical forest Asian Elephant a herd
Aye-aye with large eyes and elongated finger Aye-aye a troop
European badger with a black-and-white striped face foraging on a woodland floor at dusk Badger a clan (also cete)
Banded mongoose troop foraging Banded Mongoose a troop
Bat with outstretched skin-membrane wings flying against a dark night sky Bat a colony (also cloud)
Bat-eared fox with oversized ears cocked forward on short arid grassland Bat-eared Fox a skulk
White beluga whale swimming in Arctic water Beluga Whale a pod
Bighorn ram with full curl horns standing on a rocky desert mountain ledge Bighorn Sheep a herd
Black rhinoceros with hooked lip browsing on acacia scrub Black Rhinoceros a crash
Black-tailed prairie dog standing at burrow entrance Black-tailed Prairie Dog a town
Blackbuck ram with long spiral horns and dark coat on open Indian grassland Blackbuck a herd
Blue whale swimming near the ocean surface seen from above, dwarfing the surrounding water Blue Whale a pod
Bobcat with spotted coat pausing in woodland understory Bobcat a clowder
Bonobo resting in lush Congo rainforest canopy Bonobo a troop
Bottlenose dolphin leaping out of sparkling blue ocean water Bottlenose Dolphin a pod (also school)
Brown bear standing in a mountain meadow with forest behind Brown Bear a sleuth (also sloth)
Brown lemming on Arctic tundra Brown Lemming a colony
Dromedary camel with a single hump standing on golden desert sand dunes Camel a caravan (also herd, flock)
Capuchin monkey in tropical forest Capuchin Monkey a troop
Capybara with brown fur sitting at the edge of a river surrounded by greenery Capybara a herd
Caracal with black ear tufts crouched in dry grassland Caracal a clowder
Domestic tabby cat with green eyes sitting beside a sunlit window Cat a clowder (also glaring)
Cheetah sprinting across golden grassland with legs extended mid-stride Cheetah a coalition
Chimpanzee sitting in a lush rainforest with a thoughtful expression Chimpanzee a troop (also community)
Chinchilla with dense grey fur sitting on a rock Chinchilla a herd
Eastern chipmunk with striped back and full cheek pouches perched on a mossy log Chipmunk a scurry
Clouded leopard with cloud-shaped spots on a tree branch Clouded Leopard a leap
Collared peccary standing in desert scrub with pale neck band and bristly dark coat Collared Peccary a herd
Common shrew on forest floor Common Shrew a colony
Cougar with tan fur crouched on a rocky outcrop in a mountainous landscape Cougar a prowl
Domestic cow grazing in a green pasture at sunrise Cow a herd
Coyote standing alert in a dry North American grassland at golden hour Coyote a pack (also band, rout)
Dall ram on alpine ridge with massive curling horns and pure white winter coat Dall Sheep a herd
Dingo with ginger coat standing alert in Australian scrub Dingo a pack
Golden retriever dog sitting on green grass in a sunny park Dog a pack
Goat standing on rocky outcrop Domestic Goat a herd
Domestic pig rooting in pasture Domestic Pig a sounder
Sheep flock grazing on hillside pasture Domestic Sheep a flock
Donkey standing in a sunny pasture with long ears forward Donkey a herd (also pace)
Dugong surfacing in clear tropical seagrass waters Dugong a herd
Eastern quoll with white spots on dark fur standing on Tasmanian grass at dusk Eastern Quoll a colony
Bull elk with large antlers bugling in a mountain meadow Elk a gang (also herd)
Eurasian lynx with tufted ears in snowy forest Eurasian Lynx a leap
European polecat emerging from hedgerow with bandit mask and dark brown fur European Polecat a chine
Fennec fox in desert sand, a tiny pale fox with very large ears and dark alert eyes Fennec Fox a skulk (also leash)
Domestic ferret with playful expression Ferret a business
Fin whale surfacing with asymmetric jaw in cold ocean waters Fin Whale a pod
Fisher with dark brown coat and long bushy tail climbing a conifer trunk in snowy forest Fisher a business
Fossa with long tail and short reddish coat climbing a Madagascar rainforest trunk Fossa a company
Giant anteater with bushy tail walking on knuckles in grassland Giant Anteater a parade
Giant panda sitting and eating a stalk of bamboo in a green forest Giant Panda an embarrassment
Giraffe standing among acacia trees on the African savanna at golden hour Giraffe a tower
Golden jackal standing alert in dry savanna grass Golden Jackal a pack
Adult silverback gorilla sitting in a green rainforest clearing in dappled sunlight Gorilla a troop (also band)
Gray wolf standing alert in a snowy forest, looking into the distance Gray Wolf a pack
Greater bilby with long pinkish ears and pointed snout emerging from red desert sand Greater Bilby a colony
Grey seal pup with white lanugo coat Grey Seal a colony
Grizzly bear standing in a shallow river with pine forest behind Grizzly Bear a sleuth (also sloth)
Groundhog standing near burrow entrance Groundhog a colony
Guanaco with tawny coat and white underparts standing on windy Patagonian steppe Guanaco a herd
Guereza colobus perched on branch with black fur, white mantle, and long white tail tuft Guereza Colobus a troop
Guinea pig with smooth coat eating fresh vegetables in a hay-filled enclosure Guinea Pig a herd
Syrian hamster with stuffed cheek pouches in clean bedding Hamster a horde
Harbor seal resting on a sandy beach, showing its spotted silver-grey coat and large dark eyes with no external ears Harbor Seal a colony (also rookery, herd)
European brown hare with long black-tipped ears sitting alert in a green farmland field Hare a drove (also down, husk)
European hedgehog walking through autumn leaves and grass at dusk Hedgehog an array
Hippopotamus half-submerged in an African river with its mouth slightly open Hippopotamus a bloat (also pod)
Chestnut brown horse standing in a green meadow at golden hour Horse a herd (also team, harras)
Howler monkey in tropical tree canopy Howler Monkey a troop
Humpback whale breaching out of the open ocean with spray Humpback Whale a pod
Alpine ibex with long ridged curving horns standing on a rocky mountain ledge Ibex a herd
Male impala with curved lyre-shaped horns standing alert on the African savanna Impala a herd
Jaguar with a rosette-patterned coat walking along a rainforest riverbank Jaguar a prowl
Javan rhinoceros browsing in tropical rainforest undergrowth Javan Rhino a crash
Kirk's dik-dik with elongated snout and white eye ring standing in arid thornscrub Kirk's Dik-dik a herd
Klipspringer pair standing on granite boulder with upright posture and grizzled golden coat Klipspringer a herd
Koala with fluffy grey fur clinging to a eucalyptus tree trunk Koala a colony
Large flying fox hanging upside down in mangrove roost with fox-like face and amber fur Large Flying Fox a colony
Leopard resting on a tree branch with rosette spots in dappled light Leopard a leap (also prowl)
Leopard seal on Antarctic ice floe Leopard Seal a colony
Adult male lion with a full mane resting on the African savanna at golden hour Lion a pride
Llama standing in a mountain pasture with long neck and alert ears Llama a herd
Long-nosed bandicoot digging at night with pointed snout and mottled brown hindquarters Long-nosed Bandicoot a colony
Malayan tapir with black and white coat in tropical rainforest Malayan Tapir a candle
West Indian manatee floating in clear turquoise spring water, showing its rounded grey body and paddle-like flippers Manatee an aggregation
Male mandrill with colourful face ridges Mandrill a troop
Meerkat standing upright on sandy ground in the Kalahari at golden hour Meerkat a mob (also gang)
Minke whale surfacing with pointed snout in cold coastal waters Minke Whale a pod
European mole with velvety black fur and large pink digging claws emerging from a molehill Mole a labour
Bull moose with large flat antlers standing in a shallow lake surrounded by forest Moose a herd
Mountain goat with long white coat and black horns standing on a near-vertical cliff ledge Mountain Goat a band
Mountain gorilla silverback in misty cloud forest Mountain Gorilla a troop
House mouse with large ears and bright eyes sitting among dry grass seeds Mouse a mischief (also nest, horde)
Mule deer buck with large ears in sagebrush country Mule Deer a herd
Muskox with curved horns standing on Arctic tundra Muskox a herd
Muskrat with scaly tail swimming in a cattail marsh Muskrat a colony
Narwhal surfacing in cold Arctic water near pack ice, showing its mottled body and long spiraled ivory tusk Narwhal a pod (also blessing)
Nilgai bull with slate-blue coat and small horns standing in dry Indian scrub Nilgai a herd
Nine-banded armadillo rooting in leaf litter showing segmented armour plates and long snout Nine-banded Armadillo a herd
Nine-banded armadillo with armoured bands foraging on grass Nine-Banded Armadillo a roll
North American beaver swimming with stick in mouth near a dam North American Beaver a colony
North American porcupine with quills raised in a tree North American Porcupine a prickle
Male elephant seal on beach with trunk-like nose Northern Elephant Seal a colony
Northern flying squirrel gliding between conifer trees at dusk Northern Flying Squirrel a scurry
Numbat with white transverse stripes and bushy tail foraging on sunlit wandoo woodland floor Numbat a colony
Ocelot with rosetted coat in dappled forest light Ocelot a clowder
Okapi with striped legs standing in Congo rainforest understorey Okapi a herd
Olive baboon troop on savanna Olive Baboon a troop
Virginia opossum with pale grey fur, pink nose, and hairless tail on a tree branch at night Opossum a passel
Orangutan with shaggy reddish-orange hair hanging from a rainforest tree branch Orangutan a buffoonery
Orca killer whale breaching out of the ocean with a burst of spray Orca a pod
Otter floating on its back in calm water with sleek wet fur and whiskers Otter a raft (also romp, bevy)
Pangolin curled into a defensive ball showing keratin scales Pangolin a roll
Philippine tarsier with huge eyes on a branch Philippine Tarsier a troop
Pine marten in woodland with creamy throat patch Pine Marten a pack
Platypus swimming at the surface of an Australian freshwater stream, showing its duck-like bill and dark waterproof fur Platypus a paddle
Polar bear walking across Arctic sea ice under a pale sky Polar Bear a sleuth (also sloth)
Proboscis monkey with large nose in mangrove Proboscis Monkey a troop
Pronghorn buck with black cheek patches and forked horns running across open sagebrush Pronghorn a herd
Quokka, a small round-faced marsupial, sitting on the ground appearing to smile Quokka a colony
Brown rabbit sitting upright in green grass with small wildflowers Rabbit a colony (also nest, fluffle)
Raccoon with a black mask standing on a fallen log in a forest at dusk Raccoon a gaze (also nursery)
Brown rat with brown-grey fur and a long tail alert on a wooden surface Rat a mischief (also colony, swarm)
Red deer stag with branched antlers in misty woodland Red Deer a herd
Red fox with a bushy tail standing in a snowy field looking alert Red Fox a skulk (also leash)
Large red kangaroo standing upright in the Australian outback at golden hour Red Kangaroo a mob (also troop)
Red panda perched on a mossy branch in a misty Himalayan forest Red Panda a pack
Reindeer herd migrating across snowy Arctic tundra Reindeer a herd
White rhinoceros standing on an African plain at golden hour Rhinoceros a crash
Ring-tailed lemur sitting on a branch in a Madagascar forest, showing its grey body and black-and-white striped tail Ring-Tailed Lemur a troop (also conspiracy)
Saiga antelope ram with translucent horns and swollen snout on Central Asian steppe Saiga Antelope a herd
California sea lion resting on a coastal rock, showing its sleek brown fur, whiskers, and small external ear flaps Sea Lion a colony (also raft, rookery)
Sea otter floating on its back on calm ocean water Sea Otter a raft
Serval with large ears in golden savanna grass Serval a clowder
Short-beaked echidna with pale spines and long snout foraging on dry leaf litter Short-beaked Echidna a parade
Striped skunk with bold white stripes on black fur and bushy tail walking through grass Skunk a surfeit
Brown-throated three-toed sloth hanging from a mossy branch in the rainforest canopy Sloth a bed
Sloth bear with shaggy black coat and long snout foraging for insects Sloth Bear a sleuth
Snow leopard with thick pale spotted fur standing on a rocky Himalayan slope Snow Leopard a prowl (also leap)
White winter snowshoe hare with oversized hind feet sitting in snow beneath spruce Snowshoe Hare a down
Spectacled bear with pale facial markings in Andean cloud forest Spectacled Bear a sleuth
Sperm whale with wrinkled head breaching in open ocean Sperm Whale a pod
Spotted hyena with a sloping back and spotted coat standing alert on dry African grassland Spotted Hyena a clan (also cackle)
Spotted-tailed quoll with white body spots and long spotted tail on a mossy log Spotted-tailed Quoll a pack
Springbok pronking with white rump flash visible Springbok a herd
Eastern gray squirrel sitting upright holding a nut with its bushy tail curled behind Squirrel a scurry (also dray)
Stoat in brown summer coat Stoat a pack
Striped hyena with pointed ears and vertical body stripes walking rocky scrub at night Striped Hyena a clan
Sugar glider mid-glide with patagium stretched and large dark eyes facing forward Sugar Glider a colony
Sun bear with golden chest patch climbing in tropical forest Sun Bear a sleuth
Tasmanian devil with wide open jaws showing powerful teeth Tasmanian Devil a litter
Thomson's gazelle with black side stripe on savanna Thomson's Gazelle a herd
Bengal tiger walking through tall green grass, staring directly forward Tiger a streak (also ambush)
Bald uakari monkey with a bright red bald face and shaggy reddish fur in a rainforest tree Uakari a troop
Urial wild sheep with curved horns and a dark neck ruff on dry rocky hills Urial a herd
Common vampire bat perched on a branch at night showing its small nose and teeth Vampire Bat a colony (also cloud, cauldron)
Vaquita porpoise with dark eye and lip markings surfacing in blue-green sea Vaquita a pod
Verreaux's sifaka bounding sideways across red soil with upright posture and white fur Verreaux's Sifaka a troop
Vervet monkey on acacia branch with black face, white brow band, and greenish-grey fur Vervet Monkey a troop
Vicuña with slender neck and cinnamon coat grazing on sparse high Andean puna Vicuña a herd
Walrus with long tusks resting on Arctic sea ice Walrus a herd
Warthog kneeling to graze on African savanna grass Warthog a sounder
Water buffalo wallowing in muddy pool Water Buffalo a herd
Weasel standing upright on its hind legs in a grassy field showing its slender brown body and white underside Weasel a pack (also confusion)
White rhinoceros grazing on open African savanna grassland White Rhinoceros a crash
Gibbon swinging through rainforest canopy White-handed Gibbon a troop
White-tailed deer buck with antlers in a misty forest clearing at dawn White-tailed Deer a herd
Wild boar with bristly coat and tusks in European woodland Wild Boar a sounder
Wildebeest herd migrating across African plain Wildebeest a herd
Wolverine with thick brown fur crossing snow in boreal forest Wolverine a pack
Common wombat sitting on a grassy hillside in southeastern Australia showing its stocky brown body and broad rounded snout Wombat a wisdom
African ground squirrel (xerus) standing upright on dry ground with a bushy tail Xerus a colony
Shaggy yak with long dark hair and curved horns on a high Himalayan plateau Yak a herd
Plains zebra standing in golden African grassland Zebra a dazzle (also zeal)

Birds

Collective nouns for birds
Animal A group is called
African grey parrot with pale grey feathers and a bright red tail perched on a branch African Grey Parrot a pandemonium (also company, flock)
Breeding male American goldfinch with lemon-yellow body and black forehead on a thistle head American Goldfinch a charm
American robin with orange-red breast standing on green grass American Robin a round
American white ibis probing wet lawn with curved red bill and black-tipped wings folded American White Ibis a congregation
Male Andean condor with black plumage, white neck ruff, and fleshy head comb on a cliff ledge Andean Condor a committee
Atlantic puffin with a colorful orange and blue bill standing on a grassy cliff Atlantic Puffin a circus (also colony, improbability)
Atlantic puffin with colourful bill holding sand eels at a cliff-top burrow entrance Atlantic Puffin a circus
Bald eagle with a white head and yellow beak perched on a branch Bald Eagle a convocation
Barn owl with a heart-shaped white face perched on a wooden post at dusk Barn Owl a parliament
Barn swallow in flight showing deeply forked tail streamers and rufous throat Barn Swallow a flight
Male common blackbird with glossy black plumage and orange-yellow beak on a mossy branch Blackbird a cloud (also merl)
Blue jay with vivid blue crest and black necklace markings perched on an oak branch Blue Jay a party (also band, scold)
Blue tit with cobalt cap and yellow breast hanging upside-down on a peanut feeder Blue Tit a band
Blue-footed booby lifting bright turquoise feet in a courtship display on bare rock Blue-footed Booby a colony
Brown pelican diving into ocean for fish Brown Pelican a pod
Green and yellow budgerigar parakeet with black barring perched on a branch Budgerigar a flock (also chatter)
California condor soaring with white underwing triangles and numbered wing tag visible California Condor a committee
Canada geese flying in V formation Canada Goose a gaggle
Yellow canary perched on a cage bar singing Canary a flock
Free-range chicken foraging in farmyard Chicken a flock
Grey cockatiel with yellow crest and orange cheek patches perched on a wooden perch Cockatiel a flock
Male chaffinch perched on branch showing pink breast, blue-grey cap, and white wing bars Common Chaffinch a charm
Common kestrel hovering with fanned tail and pointed wings against a pale sky Common Kestrel a flight
Common kingfisher with bright blue back and orange chest perched over a river Common Kingfisher a concentration (also crown, rattle)
Breeding common loon with black head and white-checkered back floating on a still boreal lake Common Loon a raft
Common murre standing upright on narrow cliff ledge beside pear-shaped speckled egg Common Murre a colony
Male ring-necked pheasant with long tail in autumn field Common Pheasant a bouquet
Glossy black common raven perched on a weathered branch with a thick beak Common Raven an unkindness (also conspiracy)
Flock of starlings swirling in dense murmuration against an orange winter sunset sky Common Starling a murmuration
Common swift with scythe-shaped wings screaming over red roof tiles at dusk Common Swift a flock
American crow with glossy black feathers perched on a bare branch Crow a murder (also horde)
Emperor penguin with a chick standing on Antarctic ice Emperor Penguin a colony (also rookery, waddle)
Emu standing in Australian outback Emu a mob
European robin with a bright orange-red breast perched on a frosty twig in winter European Robin a round (also worm, breast)
Greater flamingo standing in shallow water at golden hour with reflection Flamingo a flamboyance (also stand, colony)
Golden eagle perched on a rocky crag showing golden-brown nape feathers and powerful talons Golden Eagle a convocation
Great horned owl with prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes perched in a forest at dusk Great Horned Owl a parliament
Great spotted woodpecker on tree trunk Great Spotted Woodpecker a descent
Great tit with black head, white cheeks, and yellow belly striped with a black ventral line Great Tit a band
Grey heron standing still at water edge Grey Heron a siege
Grey partridge pair walking through stubble field with chestnut face patches and barred flanks Grey Partridge a covey
Male house sparrow with grey crown and black bib perched on a brick wall House Sparrow a flock
Hyacinth macaw with deep cobalt plumage and yellow eye-ring perched on a palm frond Hyacinth Macaw a pandemonium
Sacred ibis with white body, black head, and long curved bill wading in shallow water Ibis a colony (also wedge)
Jabiru stork wading in flooded savanna with black neck, red neck base, and enormous bill Jabiru a mustering
Moss-green kākāpō with owl-like face standing on fern-covered New Zealand forest floor Kakapo a company
Kea with orange underwing coverts flashing as it perches on alpine scree Kea a colony
Brown kiwi foraging at night on the New Zealand forest floor, showing its long bill and rounded body Kiwi a tribe
Male magnificent frigatebird with inflated scarlet gular pouch soaring over mangroves Magnificent Frigatebird a fleet
Eurasian magpie with black-and-white plumage and iridescent wings perched on a fence Magpie a tiding (also mischief, tittering)
Male mallard duck with iridescent green head and yellow bill floating on calm water Mallard a raft (also flock, paddling, sord)
Male mallard duck with green head on pond Mallard a raft
Nightingale perched in dense scrub with plain brown plumage and large dark eye Nightingale a watch
Brilliant red male northern cardinal with black face mask perched on a snowy branch Northern Cardinal a college (also radiance)
Northern gannet plunge-diving into grey Atlantic water with wings folded and yellow head Northern Gannet a gannetry
Northern goshawk with barred grey underparts launching through a mature pine forest Northern Goshawk a cast
Northern harrier gliding low over a marsh with white rump patch and owl-like facial disc visible Northern Harrier a kettle
Northern mockingbird perched on a branch with beak open, grey with white wing patches Northern Mockingbird a congress
Osprey diving talons-first toward water with white head and dark eye stripe visible Osprey a kettle
Adult ostrich standing on dry African grassland with long neck and large eyes Ostrich a flock (also troop)
Peach-faced lovebird with rosy face perched on a branch Peach-faced Lovebird a flock
Male peacock displaying its full iridescent blue and green tail fan Peacock an ostentation (also muster, party)
Peregrine falcon perched on a cliff ledge with slate-grey back and barred chest Peregrine Falcon a cast
Rock pigeon with blue-grey plumage and iridescent green-purple neck standing on stone Pigeon a flock (also kit, dropping)
Small plump common quail with mottled brown plumage standing in grass Quail a covey (also bevy)
Red-tailed hawk perched on a branch showing its rust-red tail and hooked beak against a blue sky Red-tailed Hawk a kettle (also cast, boil)
Rhinoceros hornbill with orange casque perched in rainforest canopy Rhinoceros Hornbill a flock
Rooster with red comb crowing at sunrise in a farmyard Rooster a flock
Roseate spoonbill wading in shallow lagoon with pink plumage and spatulate bill sweeping the water Roseate Spoonbill a sedge
Ruby-throated hummingbird hovering beside a red flower with wings blurred in motion Ruby-throated Hummingbird a charm (also bouquet, glittering)
Ruffed grouse on log with raised black neck ruff and crested head in autumn forest Ruffed Grouse a covey
Sandhill crane pair dancing with wings spread Sandhill Crane a sedge
Male satin bowerbird arranging blue plastic and berries at a twig bower on forest floor Satin Bowerbird a colony
Scarlet macaw with red, yellow, and blue plumage perched on a rainforest branch Scarlet Macaw a pandemonium (also flock)
Scarlet macaw with red body and blue-and-yellow wing covert perched on a rainforest canopy branch Scarlet Macaw a pandemonium
Secretary bird with crest quills and orange facial skin striding through dry grassland Secretary Bird an ostentation
Shoebill standing in papyrus with oversized hooked grey bill facing the camera Shoebill a fleet
Snowy owl with white plumage and yellow eyes perched on snow-covered ground Snowy Owl a parliament
Takahē with indigo-blue body, green back, and stout red bill in alpine tussock grassland South Island Takahe a flock
Southern cassowary with casque and blue neck Southern Cassowary a mob
Sulphur-crested cockatoo with raised yellow crest in eucalyptus Sulphur-crested Cockatoo a crack
Male superb lyrebird with lyre-shaped tail plumes fanned over a display mound in rainforest Superb Lyrebird a musket
Mute swan gliding on calm water with wings arched, white plumage and orange beak Swan a bevy (also wedge, herd, bank)
Toco toucan with a large orange bill and black body perched on a branch Toco Toucan a flock
Griffon vulture with broad wings and pale bald head perched on a rocky crag Vulture a committee (also kettle, wake)
Wandering albatross gliding over ocean Wandering Albatross a rookery
White stork standing on nest atop building White Stork a muster
White whooping crane with black wingtips and red crown walking in a coastal marsh Whooping Crane a sedge
Male wild turkey displaying fanned tail Wild Turkey a flock
Willow ptarmigan in white winter plumage with black tail and red eyebrow on snowy tundra Willow Ptarmigan a covey
Wood stork standing in shallow swamp with dark bald head and thick downcurved bill Wood Stork a mustering

Reptiles

Collective nouns for reptiles
Animal A group is called
European adder with a dark zigzag pattern coiled on heathland among heather Adder a nest (also pit, bed)
American alligator resting at the edge of a sunlit swamp with reeds American Alligator a congregation
Asian water monitor with dark scaly skin and yellow markings walking near water Asian Water Monitor a lounge
Ball python coiled on a textured branch with patterned scales Ball Python a nest (also bed)
Bearded dragon basking on a warm desert rock with spiny beard Bearded Dragon a lounge
Black mamba with mouth open showing dark interior in savanna habitat Black Mamba a bed (also nest)
Eastern blue-tongued skink with broad blue tongue extended against brown banded flanks Blue-tongued Skink a lounge
Boa constrictor with brown saddle markings coiled around a tree branch Boa Constrictor a nest
Green boomslang with oversized eyes draped along a savanna acacia branch Boomslang a bed
Chuckwalla with loose folds of skin flattened against dark desert basalt Chuckwalla a lounge
Coastal taipan raised in defensive posture showing coppery head and pale body in dry grass Coastal Taipan a den
Common garter snake with three light longitudinal stripes crossing damp garden mulch Common Garter Snake a bed
Copperhead coiled on leaf litter showing hourglass crossbands and copper-coloured head Copperhead a bed
Corn snake with orange and red blotched pattern coiled on a wooden surface Corn Snake a nest
Crested gecko with eyelash-like crests and sticky toe pads clinging to a vertical branch Crested Gecko a lounge
Eastern box turtle with domed shell Eastern Box Turtle a bale
Eastern coral snake with red, yellow, and black rings on sandy pine-woods soil Eastern Coral Snake a bed
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake with brown diamonds edged in white coiled in wiregrass Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake a bed
Emerald tree boa coiled on branch with white zigzag markings and vivid green scales Emerald Tree Boa a bed
Frilled lizard standing with its large neck frill flared open and mouth gaping Frilled Lizard a lounge
Gaboon viper with intricate leaf-litter pattern and horned nose tip coiled on forest floor Gaboon Viper a coil
Giant Galápagos tortoise with a domed shell grazing on grass in a highland meadow Galápagos Tortoise a creep
Garter snake with yellow stripes along a dark body resting in green grass Garter Snake a nest (also den)
Gharial with a long thin snout resting on a sandy river bank Gharial a bask
Gila monster with black and orange beaded skin walking across desert sand Gila Monster a lounge
Green anaconda with dark blotches coiled at the edge of a murky Amazon swamp Green Anaconda a bed (also knot)
Green anole male with extended pink dewlap clinging to a garden fence post Green Anole a lounge
Green basilisk with sail-like head and dorsal crests running bipedally across a stream Green Basilisk a lounge
Green iguana with spiny crest and dewlap perched on a tree branch in the rainforest Green Iguana a lounge
Green sea turtle gliding through clear blue water over a coral reef Green Sea Turtle a bale (also nest)
Green tree python looped on branch with blue juvenile tones fading to adult green Green Tree Python a bed
Hawksbill turtle on coral reef Hawksbill Sea Turtle a bale
Inland taipan with dark head and tan body coiled in a soil crack on arid plains Inland Taipan a bed
King cobra raised up with its hood spread against a blurred jungle background King Cobra a nest (also den, bed)
Komodo dragon walking across dry ground with its forked tongue out Komodo Dragon a bank
Leatherback sea turtle with ridged leathery shell Leatherback Sea Turtle a bale
Leopard gecko with yellow skin and dark spots standing on sandy desert ground Leopard Gecko a lounge
Loggerhead sea turtle swimming in ocean Loggerhead Sea Turtle a bale
Nile crocodile with armored skin basking with jaws open on a muddy riverbank Nile Crocodile a bask (also float)
Nile monitor with banded tail swimming along a muddy African riverbank Nile Monitor a bank
Painted turtle basking on log in pond Painted Turtle a bale
Male panther chameleon gripping branch with turquoise and red bands and independently swivelled eyes Panther Chameleon a clowder
Puff adder with chevron markings coiled in dry grass showing inflated warning posture Puff Adder a coil
Reticulated python with geometric net-like dorsal pattern coiled along a riverbank log Reticulated Python a bed
Large saltwater crocodile resting at the edge of a tropical river with mouth open Saltwater Crocodile a bask (also float)
Sidewinder rattlesnake with supraocular horns leaving J-shaped tracks on desert sand Sidewinder a bed
Common snapping turtle with a rugged shell and hooked jaws standing on a muddy bank Snapping Turtle a bale
Spectacled caiman basking at the edge of an Amazon wetland Spectacled Caiman a bask
Thorny devil covered in conical spines walking across orange spinifex sand Thorny Devil a lounge
Olive-brown tuatara with spiny dorsal crest resting on coastal scrub leaf litter Tuatara a committee
Male veiled chameleon with high casque and banded flanks gripping a thorny desert shrub Veiled Chameleon a lounge
Western diamondback rattlesnake coiled with raised rattle on dry desert ground Western Diamondback Rattlesnake a rhumba (also nest, den)

Amphibians

Collective nouns for amphibians
Animal A group is called
Smooth olive-gray African clawed frog floating in water with limbs splayed out African Clawed Frog an army
Large green American bullfrog sitting at the edge of a pond among reeds American Bullfrog an army
Pink axolotl with feathery external gills underwater Axolotl a colony
Large brown warty cane toad sitting on damp soil at night Cane Toad a knot
Chinese giant salamander with wrinkled brown skin resting on a rocky stream bed Chinese Giant Salamander a colony
Brown warty common toad with copper eyes sitting on damp soil among leaves Common Toad a knot
Bright orange red eft, the juvenile stage of the eastern newt, on a mossy log Eastern Newt a knot
Glossy black fire salamander with bright yellow markings on a mossy forest floor Fire Salamander a congress (also band)
Tiny translucent glass frog on a leaf with internal organs visible through its skin Glass Frog an army
Golden mantella frog on moss with vivid orange skin and black eyes Golden Mantella an army
Enormous Goliath frog resting on a wet rock beside a fast-flowing rainforest river Goliath Frog an army
Mottled gray tree frog with large toe pads clinging to a tree branch Gray Tree Frog an army
Large flat brown hellbender salamander with wrinkled skin on a streambed rock Hellbender a congress
Mudpuppy with bushy red external gills walking on a submerged river rock Mudpuppy a colony
Pale pinkish olm with external gills swimming in a clear limestone cave pool Olm a colony
Small green and black fire-bellied toad showing its bright red and black underside Oriental Fire-bellied Toad a knot
Pacific tree frog on coastal fern with dark eye stripe and green or brown skin Pacific Tree Frog an army
Round green and brown Pacman frog with a very wide mouth sitting in damp moss Pacman Frog an army
Bright blue and black poison dart frog sitting on a wet green leaf Poison Dart Frog an army
Red-eyed tree frog with vivid red eyes and orange feet clinging to a green leaf Red-Eyed Tree Frog an army
Male smooth newt in breeding dress with wavy crest swimming in a clear garden pond Smooth Newt a colony
Black spotted salamander with two rows of bright yellow spots on the forest floor Spotted Salamander a congress
Spring peeper clinging to wetland reed with X-shaped cross on back and inflated vocal sac Spring Peeper an army
Surinam toad camouflaged on river bottom with star-shaped body and tiny starry skin pores Surinam Toad a knot
Stout dark tiger salamander with yellow blotches crawling across damp soil Tiger Salamander a congress
Plump bright red-orange tomato frog sitting on damp forest leaf litter Tomato Frog an army
Brown wood frog with a dark eye mask sitting on damp leaf litter in a forest Wood Frog an army

Fish

Collective nouns for fish
Animal A group is called
Atlantic bluefin tuna with a streamlined metallic blue body swimming in open ocean Atlantic Bluefin Tuna a school (also shoal, fever)
Atlantic cod with barbel on chin over sandy seabed Atlantic Cod a school
Silver Atlantic salmon leaping up a rushing river Atlantic Salmon a run (also school)
Australian lungfish with dark scales and paddle tail swimming in murky Queensland river Australian Lungfish a school
Basking shark with cavernous open mouth filtering near the surface of a green coastal sea Basking Shark a school
Male betta with flowing red and blue fins hovering near a bubble nest at the water surface Betta a school
Blobfish specimen with its characteristic droopy, gelatinous appearance after being brought to the surface from the deep sea Blobfish a school
Bright royal blue tang fish with a yellow tail swimming over a coral reef Blue Tang a school (also shoal)
Bonnethead shark with rounded hammer head cruising seagrass bed in clear shallows Bonnethead a shiver
Stocky grey bull shark swimming through murky coastal water near the seabed Bull Shark a shiver (also school)
Channel catfish with barbels near river bottom Channel Catfish a school
Orange and white clownfish nestled among sea anemone tentacles Clownfish a school (also shoal)
Blue-scaled coelacanth with lobed fins hovering near a deep volcanic reef cave Coelacanth a school
Common guitarfish resting on sandy seabed with shark-like tail and ray-like flattened front Common Guitarfish a school
Common torpedo ray buried in sand with rounded disc and small eyes on Mediterranean seabed Common Torpedo a school
Cookiecutter shark showing oval bite scar pattern and greenish glow from belly photophores Cookiecutter Shark a shiver
European eel swimming in clear water showing its long snake-like body and smooth skin European Eel a swarm (also bed)
Goblin shark with pinkish body and protruded jaws beneath an elongated snout in deep water Goblin Shark a school
Bright orange goldfish swimming in clear aquarium water Goldfish a school (also shoal)
Great barracuda with silver body and underbite hovering over a coral reef ledge Great Barracuda a battery
Great white shark swimming in clear blue ocean water, showing its grey back, white underside, and powerful body Great White Shark a shiver (also school)
Gulper eel with enormous dark mouth and thread-like glowing tail tip in black water Gulper Eel a shoal
Brightly colored male guppy with a flowing fan-shaped tail in a planted aquarium Guppy a school
Hammerhead shark with its distinctive wide flat head swimming in blue water Hammerhead Shark a shiver (also school)
Orange, white, and black koi carp swimming near the surface of a garden pond Koi a school
Lanternfish with silver flank and glowing photophore dots in deep Atlantic water Lanternfish a shoal
Largemouth bass with open mouth near lily pads Largemouth Bass a school
Largetooth sawfish with long toothed rostrum swimming over an estuarine sandbank Largetooth Sawfish a fever
Leafy seadragon with cascading green skin appendages drifting beside brown macroalgae Leafy Seadragon a herd
Lemon shark cruising mangrove shallows with pale yellow sides and broad blunt snout Lemon Shark a shiver
Large manta ray gliding through blue ocean water with wings spread Manta Ray a fever
Megamouth shark with wide rubbery lips and luminous white band around deep ocean mouth Megamouth Shark a school
Nurse shark resting on sandy seabed Nurse Shark a shiver
Silver oarfish with red dorsal crest swimming vertically in open blue water Oarfish a school
Ocean sunfish basking at sea surface Ocean Sunfish a school
Oceanic whitetip shark with rounded dorsal fin and mottled white-tipped pectoral fins in blue water Oceanic Whitetip Shark a shiver
Porbeagle shark with white flank patch and stout body gliding through cold Atlantic water Porbeagle a shiver
Pufferfish inflated into a spiky round ball underwater Pufferfish a school
Rainbow trout with pink stripe in clear mountain stream Rainbow Trout a school
Red-bellied piranha with a silvery body and reddish belly in murky river water Red-bellied Piranha a shoal (also school)
Sand tiger shark showing protruding teeth Sand Tiger Shark a shiver
Seahorse gripping coral with its curled tail underwater Seahorse a herd
Shortfin mako shark with a sleek metallic-blue body swimming through open blue ocean water Shortfin Mako Shark a shiver (also school)
Stingray gliding over a sandy seabed with its broad flat body and long tail Stingray a fever (also school)
Thresher shark with extremely long tail fin Thresher Shark a shiver
Tiger shark with faint dark stripes swimming through clear blue tropical water Tiger Shark a shiver (also school)
Sloane's viperfish with needle teeth, gaping jaws, and green photophores along flank Viperfish a shoal
Weedy seadragon with purple trunk and orange appendages among green kelp fronds Weedy Seadragon a herd
Massive spotted whale shark swimming near the ocean surface Whale Shark a shiver (also school)
Small translucent X-ray tetra with a visible silvery skeleton swimming in a planted aquarium X-ray Tetra a school (also shoal)

Insects

Collective nouns for insects
Animal A group is called
Close-up of a black ant standing on soil Ant a colony (also army, swarm)
Army ant swarm of Eciton workers cascading over leaf litter in a rainforest raid Army Ant a colony
Large Asian giant hornet with orange head and striped body on a wooden surface Asian Giant Hornet a swarm (also nest)
Bed bug on mattress seam beside a penny for scale Bed Bug an infestation
Fuzzy black and yellow bumblebee gathering pollen on a purple flower Bumblebee a swarm (also colony)
Eastern carpenter bee hovering at azalea blossom with shiny black abdomen and yellow thorax fuzz Carpenter Bee a colony
Cicada with clear veined wings clinging to a tree trunk Cicada a cloud (also plague, swarm)
Brown cockroach with long antennae on a flat surface Cockroach an intrusion
Brown cricket with long antennae and hind legs on the ground Cricket a swarm
Blue dragonfly with outstretched transparent wings resting on a reed Dragonfly a swarm (also cluster, flight)
Black dung beetle rolling a ball of dung across the ground Dung Beetle a colony
Firefly glowing yellow-green on a leaf in the dark Firefly a swarm
Close-up of a dark, flattened flea with long hind legs Flea a swarm (also infestation)
Green grasshopper with long hind legs perched on a blade of grass Grasshopper a cloud (also swarm)
Honey bee covered in pollen landing on a bright yellow flower Honey Bee a swarm (also colony, hive)
Common housefly with red eyes and clear wings resting on a surface Housefly a swarm (also cloud, business)
Indian stick insect mimicking a brown twig among leafy laboratory food plants Indian Stick Insect a cluster
Red ladybug with black spots resting on a green leaf Ladybug a loveliness
Leafcutter ant workers carrying green leaf discs in a trail across rainforest floor Leafcutter Ant a colony
Pale green luna moth with long curved tails on its hindwings resting on bark Luna Moth a swarm
Monarch butterfly with orange and black wings perched on a purple flower Monarch Butterfly a kaleidoscope (also flutter, swarm)
Close-up of a mosquito with slender legs resting on skin Mosquito a swarm (also scourge)
Orchid mantis perched on a stem showing its pale pink petal-shaped lobed legs and white body Orchid Mantis a swarm
Large black rhinoceros beetle with a curved horn on a log Rhinoceros Beetle a swarm (also colony)
Large male stag beetle with antler-like jaws on a piece of dead wood Stag Beetle a swarm (also colony)
Pale termites clustered on dark decaying wood Termite a colony (also swarm, nest)
Yellow and black common wasp resting on a wooden surface Wasp a swarm (also colony, nest)
Close-up of a yellowjacket wasp with bold yellow and black stripes on a leaf Yellowjacket a nest (also swarm)

Invertebrates

Collective nouns for invertebrates
Animal A group is called
Female black widow hanging upside-down in a cobweb showing red hourglass on abdomen Black Widow a cluster
Glossy black widow spider hanging in its web showing the red hourglass marking Black Widow Spider a clutter (also cluster)
Blacklegged tick on a green leaf with legs spread Blacklegged Tick a cluster
Blue crab with bright blue claws and a broad shell on a sandy estuary bottom Blue Crab a cast
Box jellyfish with transparent cube-shaped bell and long pale tentacles in tropical shallows Box Jellyfish a smack
Brittle star with spiny arms raised off gravel seabed in dense aggregation Brittle Star a bed
Brown recluse spider showing violin marking on cephalothorax Brown Recluse Spider a cluster
Chambered nautilus with coiled striped shell and many tentacles hovering above Indo-Pacific reef slope Chambered Nautilus a school
Coconut crab climbing a palm tree trunk at night showing its large orange-brown body and powerful claws Coconut Crab a cast
Colorful coral colony with many tiny polyps on a sunlit tropical reef Coral a colony
Crown-of-thorns starfish with venomous spines draped over bleached coral on Indo-Pacific reef Crown-of-thorns Starfish a constellation
Dumbo octopus hovering above abyssal mud with ear-like fins flapping beside pale body Dumbo Octopus a school
Reddish-brown earthworm on dark moist soil Earthworm a bed (also clew)
Large glossy black emperor scorpion with raised tail and big pincers Emperor Scorpion a bed (also nest)
Feather star perched on reef with feathery arms extended and clawed cirri gripping substrate Feather Star a bed
Brown-shelled garden snail gliding across a green leaf Garden Snail a rout (also walk, escargatoire)
Giant clam on a coral reef with brightly colored, wavy mantle tissue Giant Clam a bed
Giant house spider with long brown legs resting on a pale surface showing its large size Giant House Spider a cluster
Giant Pacific octopus with reddish skin and suckered arms flowing from rocky den Giant Pacific Octopus a school
Giant squid with long tentacles and huge eye in deep dark ocean water Giant Squid a shoal
Gumboot chiton on rocky tidepool with brick-red leathery mantle covering eight shell plates Gumboot Chiton a bed
Hermit crab peeking out of a spiral snail shell on wet sand Hermit Crab a cast
Japanese spider crab with long spindly legs and knobby carapace on deep Pacific slope Japanese Spider Crab a cast
Translucent moon jellyfish drifting in deep blue ocean water Jellyfish a smack (also bloom, swarm)
Close-up of a fuzzy jumping spider with large round front eyes on a leaf Jumping Spider a clutter (also cluster)
Moon jellyfish pulsing with four pink horseshoe gonads visible through transparent bell Moon Jellyfish a smack
Common octopus on a coral reef with curling arms and textured skin Octopus a consortium
Pistol shrimp with one oversized snapping claw emerging from reef burrow beside goby partner Pistol Shrimp a colony
Red abalone with oval shell and row of respiratory pores clinging to California kelp reef Red Abalone a bed
Live sand dollar partially buried in Atlantic sand showing purple spine fringe and flower pattern Sand Dollar a bed
Transparent sea angel with wing-like parapodia and orange gut visible in cold polar water Sea Angel a school
Edible sea cucumber with dark mottled skin crawling across Indo-Pacific sand flat Sea Cucumber a bed
Orange five-armed starfish resting on a rocky tidal seabed Starfish a constellation
Tarantula on rocky desert ground with detailed hairy legs Tarantula a clutter (also cluster)
Vampire squid hovering in deep water with webbed arms and red-blue photophores Vampire Squid a school
Velvet worm with blue-green velvety skin and stubby legs on rotting log in rainforest Velvet Worm a group
Water bear tardigrade with eight stubby legs and barrel body viewed under microscope Water Bear a colony
Looking for what the young are called? See our guide to baby animal names or browse all animal guides .

Animal collective nouns: FAQs

What is a collective noun for animals?

A collective noun is the special word used for a group of a particular animal — for example, a group of lions is called a pride, a group of crows is an unkindness, and a group of geese is a gaggle. Many of these terms date back to medieval English hunting tradition.

What is the group of lions called?

A group of lions is called a pride.

What is a group of wolves called?

A group of wolves is called a pack.

What is the most unusual animal collective noun?

Some of the most surprising include an unkindness of ravens, a parliament of owls, an embarrassment of pandas, a flamboyance of flamingos, and a tower of giraffes.

Why do animals have such strange group names?

Most whimsical collective nouns come from 15th-century English hunting books, such as the 1486 Book of Saint Albans, which listed playful 'terms of venery' for animals. Many stuck and are still used today.