Ever notice how animals in groups often get quirky names? A pride of lions, a school of fish—each has its own flair. But have you ever wondered what a group of crows is called? The answer might surprise you and even send a little shiver down your spine.
What Is a Group of Crows Called?
The official term for a group of crows is a murder of crows. Yes, you read that right—a murder! The phrase dates back to the late Middle Ages, when poetic or humorous names were often given to animal groups. These colorful terms are part of what’s known as “terms of venery,” a fancy way of saying collective nouns for animals.
While it sounds dark, the name isn’t because crows are killers. Instead, it reflects how people historically viewed crows: mysterious, eerie, and often linked to death or bad omens.
Why “Murder” and Not Something Friendlier?
Crows have long had a spooky reputation. They often gather near battlefields, graveyards, or places where food is abundant. To people in earlier times, seeing a crowd of black-feathered birds hanging around the dead felt ominous.
Here are a few reasons the word stuck:
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Folklore connections: Crows were linked to witches, spirits, and even the underworld.
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Dark appearance: Their black feathers made them look shadowy and ghost-like.
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Scavenger habits: They sometimes feed on carrion, reinforcing the association with death.
Still, modern science paints a different picture. Crows are intelligent, playful, and highly social. That spooky “murder” title doesn’t really match their curious personalities.
Fascinating Facts About Crows
Crows are more than just eerie silhouettes on telephone wires. They’re full of surprises.
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Smart birds: Crows can recognize human faces, use tools, and even solve puzzles.
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Tight-knit families: They live in groups where younger crows help raise the next generation.
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Big gatherings: A murder of crows can number in the thousands during winter roosting.
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Voice variety: They have over 250 different calls, ranging from caws to clicks and rattles.
These traits show they’re much more than the gloomy birds of old stories.
Other Fun Names for Animal Groups
If “murder of crows” feels extreme, wait until you hear some of the other wild collective nouns. People clearly had fun inventing them.
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A parliament of owls
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A prickle of porcupines
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A flamboyance of flamingos
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A conspiracy of lemurs
Makes you wonder what group name humans might get if we were on the list!
Personal Insight
I’ve always thought crows were oddly charming. There’s a group that gathers in the big oak tree near my neighborhood, and I catch myself watching them. Instead of feeling creepy, I find it kind of comforting—like they’re having their own secret meeting above us.
Wrapping It Up
So now you know: a group of crows is called a murder of crows, a name born out of folklore and human imagination. Despite the grim label, these birds are smart, social, and fascinating to watch.
What do you think—does the name murder of crows fit, or do they deserve a friendlier title?