Why Is a Group of Crows Called a Murder? The History Behind the Eerie Term

When you see a cluster of crows gathering or soaring, you might wonder: what’s the collective name for them? The answer isn’t just poetic—it’s steeped in centuries of folklore and linguistic tradition. In the English language, a group of crows is famously called a murder.

Why Do We Say “Murder of Crows”?

The term originates from medieval folklore, where crows were associated with death, battlefields, and the supernatural. Their dark plumage, sharp calls, and keen intelligence earned them a reputation as both wise and ominous creatures. Folklore even credited them with judging wrongdoers and foreshadowing death, which likely inspired the dramatic collective noun. While ornithologists usually prefer neutral terms like "flock" or "mob," the poetic label persists in literature, media, and everyday conversation.

Do People Really Use “Murder of Crows”?

In everyday speech, most people simply say “a group of crows” or “a flock of birds.” Scientific communities and birdwatchers tend to avoid colorful terms for clarity. However, the phrase “murder of crows” still appears in books, museums, and popular media. Hearing a chorus of crows outside your house might feel more dramatic—and perhaps a little cooler—if you refer to it as a murder.

13 Other Collective Nouns for Animals

English is full of evocative collective nouns that add color to animal descriptions. Here are 13 you might find intriguing:

1. A gaggle of geese (on land)
2. A skein of geese (in flight)
3. A parliament of owls
4. An unkindness of ravens
5. A conspiracy of lemurs
6. A wake of vultures (when feeding)
7. A siege of herons
8. A descent of woodpeckers
9. A murder of crows
10. A charm of finches
11. A scold of jays
12. A mischief of magpies
13. A trembling of finches

Many of these terms first appeared in hunting guides or social manuals as aristocratic wordplay. While rarely used in daily life, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of language and the human tendency to anthropomorphize nature.