A Group of Crows Is Called a Murder

The eerie collective noun for these intelligent birds is deeply rooted in folklore and superstition. The term, which dates to the 15th century, likely arose from the crow's somber reputation as a scavenger. In medieval times, large groups of crows would congregate on battlefields or near gallows, feeding on the deceased. This powerful and unsettling imagery forged a strong association in the public imagination between the birds and death, leading to the ominous name "a murder of crows."

Interestingly, modern science offers a compelling explanation that echoes these old beliefs. Crows are known to hold what appear to be "funerals," gathering around a fallen member of their species. While it looks like mourning, ornithologists believe this behavior is a form of social learning. The crows are investigating the cause of death to identify potential threats in their environment. To an ancient observer, however, this sight of a flock of black birds convening over a corpse would have only reinforced their dark and mysterious reputation.

This tradition of poetic group names, known as "terms of venery," isn't limited to crows. English is filled with evocative labels that attempt to capture the essence of an animal, such as a shrewdness of apes, an ostentation of peacocks, or an unkindness of ravens, the crow's larger cousin. These terms highlight a historical fascination with the natural world and the power of language to shape our perception of it.