Hey there! Have you ever wondered why a group of crows is called a “murder”? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of animal group names and find out!
Back in the 15th century, British hunters came up with fun and creative names for groups of animals. They called them “collective nouns.” These names were a way for hunters to show their appreciation for the animals they encountered. Some of these names are still used today, like a “gaggle of geese,” a “skulk of foxes,” and a “charm of finches.”
Even though scientists usually call groups of animals just “groups” in their research, many people enjoy using these special names. Why? Because they add a bit of fun and interest! For example, a “leap of leopards” or a “romp of otters” can tell us something about how these animals behave. A “murmuration of starlings” or a “crash of rhinos” can give us a sense of what it’s like to see them in action. And a “murder of crows” or an “exaltation of larks” can make us feel a certain way about these animals.
Just like those hunters from long ago, people today still enjoy making up new collective nouns. For example, you might hear about a “mischief of Pikachus” or a “cog of robots.” It might sound a bit silly, but it’s all about having fun with language and showing our love for nature and creativity.
Here are some more delightful collective nouns: a “ballet of nutcrackers,” a “parliament of owls,” a “flutterby of butterflies,” a “knot of toads,” a “labor of moles,” and a “wisdom of wombats.” Aren’t they wonderful?
So, next time you see a group of crows, you’ll know why they’re called a “murder.” It’s all part of the fun and creative way we use language to describe the amazing world of animals!
Imagine you are a hunter from the 15th century. Think of an animal you like and create a fun and creative collective noun for a group of them. Share your idea with the class and explain why you chose that name.
We’ll play a matching game where you match animals to their collective nouns. For example, match “geese” with “gaggle.” Work in pairs to see who can match the most correctly in five minutes!
Get creative and draw a picture of a “murder” of crows. Think about how you can show their behavior or personality in your drawing. Share your artwork with the class and describe what you depicted.
Write a short story using at least five different collective nouns. Your story can be about a day in the life of these animal groups. Share your story with a partner and discuss the collective nouns you used.
Choose an animal and research its behavior. Create a presentation explaining why its collective noun might have been chosen. Present your findings to the class and see if they agree with the collective noun or have other suggestions.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hey, it’s Kate! Please stick around at the end of the video for a quick message from the MinuteEarth team. In the 15th century, British hunters created whimsical labels for groups of animals, such as a “gaggle of geese,” a “skulk of foxes,” and a “charm of finches.” These “collective nouns” allowed the hunters to express their appreciation for nature’s animals before hunting them. Unlike those animals, this creative way of describing groups has endured through the centuries, leading to terms like “pods of whales,” “mobs of kangaroos,” and “clowders of cats.”
Although these terms rarely appear in formal scientific literature—where it’s often clearer to refer to groups simply as “groups”—many people, including scientists, use collective nouns in other contexts. This is because replacing a generic label with a specialized term allows us to convey something interesting about the animals. Phrases like “leap of leopards” and “romp of otters” give us insight into their behavior. Terms like “murmuration of starlings” and “crash of rhinos” evoke a sense of their presence. And expressions like “murder of crows” and “exaltation of larks” elicit particular feelings associated with these animals.
Just like the 15th-century hunters, we also create collective nouns for modern creatures, such as a “mischief of Pikachus” or a “cog of robots.” While it may seem a bit silly, at its core, this is simply a way for people to express their passion and appreciation for nature, language, and creativity.
Together, terms like “ballet of nutcrackers,” “parliament of owls,” “flutterby of butterflies,” “knot of toads,” “labor of moles,” and “wisdom of wombats” form a delightful collection of collective nouns.
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This version maintains the original message while removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content.
Crows – Crows are large, intelligent birds known for their black feathers and loud calls. – Crows are often seen in groups, flying over fields and making loud cawing sounds.
Murder – In the context of animals, a “murder” is a group of crows. – We watched a murder of crows gather in the park, their black feathers shining in the sunlight.
Nouns – Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. – In the sentence “The dog chased the ball,” both “dog” and “ball” are nouns.
Animals – Animals are living organisms that can move and respond to their environment. – Lions, tigers, and bears are all examples of wild animals that live in different habitats.
Groups – Groups are collections of people, animals, or things that are gathered together. – In science class, we learned how different groups of animals have unique characteristics.
Hunters – Hunters are people or animals that seek out and capture or kill other animals for food. – In the wild, lions are skilled hunters that work together to catch their prey.
Language – Language is a system of words and rules used for communication. – English is a language spoken by millions of people around the world.
Nature – Nature refers to the physical world and everything in it that is not made by humans. – We went on a hike to explore the beauty of nature and see the different plants and animals.
Creativity – Creativity is the ability to use imagination to create new ideas or things. – The art project encouraged students to use their creativity to design unique sculptures.
Examples – Examples are specific instances that illustrate a general idea or concept. – Our teacher gave us examples of different types of rocks to help us understand the lesson.
