Understanding collective nouns for animals is an important part of learning English. Collective nouns are words used to describe a group of animals. In this blog post, you will learn how to use words like a flock of birds, a herd of elephants, a pack of wolves, and more. You will also discover how to use them in everyday sentences. Learning these words helps you master English vocabulary and speak or write more naturally.
What are Collective Nouns?
A collective noun is a word used to describe a group of similar animals. It makes your English more natural and descriptive. For example:
- A herd of cows grazes in the field.
- A swarm of bees is flying near the flowers.
Using collective nouns in your speaking or writing shows you understand English clearly.
Collective Nouns for Farm Animals
Here is the list of collective nouns for farm animals:
A herd of cows
A group of cows grazing or resting together in open fields under a farmer’s care.
Example: A herd of cows walked slowly toward the barn.
A flock of sheep
Many sheep staying close together for safety while feeding or following a shepherd.
Example: A flock of sheep covered the hillside in white wool.
A drove of pigs
Pigs being guided together from one place to another on a farm.
Example: A drove of pigs ran toward the feeding area.
A team of horses
Horses working together to pull carts, ploughs, or heavy wagons.
Example: A team of horses pulled the carriage.
A gaggle of geese
Geese walking together on land, usually making loud honking sounds.
Example: A gaggle of geese blocked the farm road.
A paddling of ducks
Ducks swimming closely together on water in an organised group.
Example: A paddling of ducks crossed the pond.
A brood of chickens
Hens and chicks staying close together for warmth and protection.
Example: A brood of chickens followed the mother hen.
A peep of chicks
Young chicks moving together in small, noisy groups.
Example: A peep of chicks ran across the yard.
A herd of goats
Goats grazing or climbing together on hills or farmland.
Example: A herd of goats climbed the rocky slope.
A rafter of turkeys
Turkeys moving together across farmland or woodland areas.
Example: A rafter of turkeys crossed the field.
A herd of donkeys
Donkeys standing or walking together while grazing or resting.
Example: A herd of donkeys waited near the fence.
A litter of piglets
Young pigs born together from the same mother.
Example: A litter of piglets slept beside the sow.
A kindle of kittens
Baby cats born together in one nest or place.
Example: A kindle of kittens played in the basket.
A clowder of cats
Adult cats living or resting together in one place.
Example: A clowder of cats slept in the barn.
A kennel of dogs
Dogs housed or kept together in one location.
Example: A kennel of dogs barked loudly.
Collective Nouns for Birds
Here’s the list of collective nouns for birds in English with pictures:
A flock of birds
Many birds flying or resting together as one moving group.
Example: A flock of birds crossed the sky.
A murder of crows
Crows gathered together in trees or open fields.
Example: A murder of crows sat on the fence.
A parliament of owls
Owls resting together quietly in wooded areas during daytime.
Example: A parliament of owls stayed hidden.
A bevy of swans
Swans swimming or standing together gracefully on lakes.
Example: A bevy of swans floated calmly.
A colony of penguins
Penguins living, walking, and huddling together in cold regions.
Example: A colony of penguins moved slowly.
A bouquet of pheasants
Pheasants standing or flying together in groups.
Example: A bouquet of pheasants crossed the field.
A host of sparrows
Large numbers of sparrows gathered in one place.
Example: A host of sparrows filled the tree.
A cast of hawks
Hawks flying together while hunting prey.
Example: A cast of hawks circled overhead.
A descent of woodpeckers
Woodpeckers moving together from trees to ground.
Example: A descent of woodpeckers landed nearby.
A murmuration of starlings
Starlings flying together in beautiful moving shapes.
Example: A murmuration of starlings filled the sky.
Collective Nouns for Wild Animals
Here’s the list of collective nouns for wild animals in English with pictures:
A pride of lions
A family group of lions living and hunting together.
Example: A pride of lions rested under trees.
A pack of wolves
Wolves travelling and hunting together for survival.
Example: A pack of wolves ran across snow.
A tower of giraffes
Giraffes standing or walking together in open grasslands.
Example: A tower of giraffes crossed the plain.
A crash of rhinoceroses
Rhinoceroses running or walking together across land.
Example: A crash of rhinoceroses crossed the road.
A troop of monkeys
Monkeys playing and feeding together in trees.
Example: A troop of monkeys stole fruit.
A sleuth of bears
Bears moving or fishing together near rivers.
Example: A sleuth of bears stood by water.
A skulk of foxes
Foxes hunting quietly together at night.
Example: A skulk of foxes appeared at dusk.
A dazzle of zebras
Zebras standing together, confusing predators with stripes.
Example: A dazzle of zebras ran away.
A coalition of cheetahs
Male cheetahs living and hunting together.
Example: A coalition of cheetahs rested.
A sounder of wild pigs
Wild pigs roaming together through forests.
Example: A sounder of wild pigs crossed the path.
Collective Nouns for Aquatic Animals
Here’s the list of collective nouns for aquatic animals in English with pictures:
A school of fish
Fish swimming closely together for safety and direction.
Example: A school of fish passed the reef.
A shoal of fish
Fish staying together in shallow water areas.
Example: A shoal of fish swam near shore.
A pod of dolphins
Dolphins swimming and playing together in seas.
Example: A pod of dolphins followed the boat.
A pod of whales
Whales travelling together through deep oceans.
Example: A pod of whales surfaced nearby.
A shiver of sharks
Sharks swimming together in one area.
Example: A shiver of sharks moved below.
A raft of otters
Otters floating together while resting on water.
Example: A raft of otters drifted.
A colony of seals
Seals resting and playing together on rocks.
Example: A colony of seals slept.
A bed of clams
Clams grouped together on seabed.
Example: A bed of clams covered sand.
A bloom of jellyfish
Jellyfish floating together in large numbers.
Example: A bloom of jellyfish appeared.
A troop of turtles
Turtles walking or swimming together slowly.
Example: A troop of turtles reached shore.
Collective Nouns for Insects
Here’s the list of collective nouns for insects in English with pictures:
A swarm of bees
Bees flying together to find a new home.
Example: A swarm of bees crossed the garden.
A hive of bees
Bees living and working together inside hive.
Example: A hive of bees buzzed loudly.
A colony of ants
Ants living and working together underground.
Example: A colony of ants carried food.
An army of ants
Ants moving together in lines to collect food.
Example: An army of ants marched.
A cloud of locusts
Locusts flying together in massive numbers.
Example: A cloud of locusts darkened sky.
A plague of locusts
Locusts destroying crops in huge numbers.
Example: A plague of locusts ruined fields.
A flutter of butterflies
Butterflies flying gently together in sunlight.
Example: A flutter of butterflies landed nearby.
A cluster of spiders
Spiders grouped together in webs or corners.
Example: A cluster of spiders hung above.
A swarm of flies
Flies flying together around waste or food.
Example: A swarm of flies gathered quickly.
A nest of wasps
Wasps living together in paper nests.
Example: A nest of wasps formed outside.
Using collective nouns correctly helps you speak and write English more clearly. Try to practice them in daily conversation or writing. Remembering real-life examples makes it easier to master these words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are collective nouns for animals in English?
Collective nouns for animals are special words used to name a group of the same animals. For example, we say a herd of cows, a pride of lions, or a flock of birds. These words help learners speak and write more naturally in English and describe scenes clearly and accurately.
What are the most common collective nouns for animals?
Some of the most common collective nouns include a herd of cows, a flock of sheep, a pride of lions, a pack of wolves, a school of fish, and a swarm of bees. These are widely used in books, exams, and daily English, so learners should master them early.
What does “a pride of lions” mean in English?
A pride of lions means a family group of lions that live and hunt together. It usually includes adult females, their cubs, and a few males. This collective noun helps learners describe lions correctly and naturally instead of saying many lions, which sounds less precise in English.
What is the difference between a school and a shoal of fish?
A school of fish usually means fish swimming together in a coordinated way. A shoal of fish often refers to fish gathered in a shallow area. Both are correct, but school is more common in everyday English. Learning both helps students understand books, lessons, and nature topics better.
What is the collective nouns for birds?
The most common collective noun for birds is a flock of birds. It is used when birds are flying or resting together. Learners should know this basic phrase because it appears often in reading texts, exams, and daily English conversations.
What is the collective noun for insects?
Common collective nouns for insects include a swarm of bees, a colony of ants, an army of ants, and a cloud of locusts. These words describe how insects move or live together. They are important for understanding science texts and using correct English in writing.
Read More