What Is a Flock of Crows Called? The Surprising Answer

Have you ever stopped to watch a group of large, black birds congregating on a lawn or in the trees, their loud calls cutting through the air, and wondered, “What do you even call a group of crows?” The English language is full of odd and wonderful terms for groups of animals, known as collective nouns, but the one for crows is arguably one of the most famous and intriguing.

This article answers that question directly and delves into the history behind this macabre moniker, explores other lesser-known names, and looks at the true nature of these intelligent birds.

The Main Answer, Loud and Clear

A group of crows is called a “murder.”

That’s right. While you can technically refer to them as a flock, the traditional, and far more evocative, collective noun is “a murder of crows.” This term has been used for centuries and is deeply embedded in language, art, and folklore, capturing the imagination in a way that a simple “flock” never could.

The Story Behind the Name

The term “murder” sounds sinister, and its origins are tied to a combination of old-world folklore, superstition, and the natural behavior of crows themselves.

Why “Murder”? The Origins of a Macabre Moniker

There isn’t one single, definitive reason, but rather a collection of historical associations that led to this dark name.

Association with Death: Historically, crows and their larger cousins, ravens, were seen as scavengers that would often congregate on battlefields or near gallows. This led people to associate their presence with death and war, viewing them as ominous portents.
Folklore and Superstition: For centuries, European folklore has depicted crows as bearers of bad luck, spies for witches, or messengers from the spirit world. These old, deep-seated superstitions painted the birds in a dark light, making a name like “murder” a fitting, if unfair, label.
Intra-group Conflict: Crows are known to occasionally fight over resources or territory, and will sometimes kill a sick or dying crow from within their own group. An observer witnessing such an event could easily have described it as crows “murdering” one of their own.

Are Crows Really Ominous? A Look at Crow Behavior

Despite their spooky reputation, crows are among the most intelligent animals on the planet. They are not harbingers of doom but are highly social, adaptable, and clever creatures.

Problem-Solvers: They are famous for their ability to use tools, solve complex puzzles, and even recognize individual human faces.
Complex Social Lives: Crows live in tight-knit family groups, and the large gatherings that form a “murder” are often roosts where hundreds or even thousands of crows come together to share warmth, exchange information, and find safety in numbers.
Loud and Raucous: Their loud, harsh “caw” sounds can be jarring. A large group making a racket might have sounded alarming to our ancestors, contributing to the feeling that something ominous was afoot.

Are There Other Names for a Group of Crows?

While “murder” is the most famous term, it’s not the only one. Over the centuries, several other collective nouns have been used to describe a group of crows, though they are far less common today.

Lesser-Known Collective Nouns:

A horde of crows
A muster of crows
A parcel of crows
A parliament of crows (though this is now almost exclusively associated with owls)

Bird	Collective Noun(s)
Crows	A murder, horde, muster
Ravens	An unkindness, conspiracy
Owls	A parliament, stare
Geese	A gaggle (on the ground), a skein (in flight)
Starlings	A murmuration
Sparrows	A host, quarrel
Eagles	A convocation
Hawks	A cast, kettle

Takeaway

The most common and traditional name for a group of crows is a murder of crows.
The term likely originated from old folklore and superstitions that linked crows to death and battlefields.
Other, less common names for a group of crows include a horde, muster, or parcel.
Despite their ominous name, crows are highly intelligent and social birds, not symbols of doom.
A group of their cousins, the ravens, is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Name

The term “a murder of crows” tells us far more about human history and our long-held superstitions than it does about the birds themselves.

It’s a powerful and poetic relic of a time when the natural world was viewed through a lens of myth and fear. So the next time you see a group of these glossy black birds, you can appreciate them for what they truly are: a highly intelligent, complex, and fascinating “murder” of crows.

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