What Is a Group of Hawks Called? It's About the Shape They Take in Flight

Believe it or not, the answer is in this photo. Arfin Studio / Shutterstock

People often wonder, "What is a group of hawks called," when they see many birds circling high in the sky. Hawks are generally solitary birds, so the answer depends on context rather than a single catchall word.

When hawks gather in large numbers, especially during migration, the language gets specific. Those words may reflect how hawks fly, feed, and share space rather than how they socialize.

Contents

A Group of Hawks Is Called a Kettle in Flight
Why Hawks Gather in Large Groups
Not All Hawk Groups Are Kettles
Do Hawks Flock?

A Group of Hawks Is Called a Kettle in Flight

The most widely accepted collective noun for a group of hawks is "kettle." Birders use this term when hawks gather in the sky to soar together.

A kettle forms when hawks share thermals, which are columns of warm air rising from the ground. As the birds circle upward, the movement can look like steam rising from a pot, which explains the term.

Why Hawks Gather in Large Groups

Hawks tend to be solitary birds for most of the year. They often hunt alone, defend territory, and usually interact closely only with a pair or family at a nest.

During migration, using thermals offers a clear advantage. By sharing thermals, hawks save energy on long journeys that can stretch across continents.

In peak seasons, kettles can include hundreds or even thousands of hawks.

Not All Hawk Groups Are Kettles

A kettle only applies when hawks are soaring together. On the ground or in trees, the term "group of hawks" is usually accurate enough.

Some older collective nouns exist, including cast, with roots tracing back to the late Middle Ages. These terms appear in historical lists of animals but see little modern use.

Do Hawks Flock?

Hawks do not flock the way starlings or parrots do. "Flock" generally refers to a group of birds.

Broad-winged hawks provide a classic example of kettle behavior during migration, while eagles may gather temporarily for similar reasons. Outside those moments, hawks return to their solitary routines.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.