What Do You Call A Group Of Crows? Know Significance And Origin Of The Term

Group of Crows:  To your surprise, other than being called Flock Of Crows, a group of crows is also popularly known as a Murder Of Crows. Yes, you read that right. This famous yet unconventional collective noun term is derived from crows' significance in medieval folklore and language usage. The term Murder of Crows is due to hunting manuals written in English in the 15th century, including The Book of Saint Albans (1486), which referred to animal groups as ‘terms of venery’ and gave them poetic names. Crows bagged the title of murderer because they scavenged battlefields and cemeteries, a feature of death symbolised in superstitions, and not a feature of violence. Such a suggestive name portrays their sinister, gloomy folklore reputation.

Crows live in flocks due to numerous survival advantages, like a large flock of crows offers warmth during winter roosts, warns of predators, and does food scouting. Their lineage as corvids, which is connected to ravens and jays, adds up to the myth of conspiracy, but murder is a more poetic and less legitimate term for a group of crows. Scientifically, flying crows are referred to as a flock, whereas non-aerial clusters are referred to as a murder.

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Other Collective Nouns For A Group Of Crows:

1. Horde: Large stagnant crowds, bringing in a strange beauty to scenes.

2. Muster: Crows gathering, usually around dead stuff.

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3.  Parliament or Storytelling: Nodding to perceived intelligence and chatter.

4.  Mob, Brood, Clan: Rarer variations.

The name ‘Murder Of Crows’ adds to the unique reputation of crows in literature and pop culture, merging reality with myths. The next time you see one, you may hear the caw, know there is a chance of Murder; the murder of crows.