What Is a Group of Sparrows Called? Reminiscent of Their Chatter

If you’ve ever watched sparrows flutter around your yard or city park, you know they rarely sit still. But what is a group of sparrows called? The answer may not be as famous as a murder of crows or a gaggle of geese, but it’s every bit as descriptive.

In the vast world of collective nouns for birds, sparrows have a few names. But one stands out.

A Host of Sparrows

The most recognized collective noun for sparrows is "host." It might sound formal, but it refers to a large number of birds gathered in one place.

Sparrows often forage and fly in flocks, especially during migration or around abundant food sources, making "host" a fitting term.

You might also hear the term "quarrel" used to describe a group of sparrows, which reflects their constant communication. Anyone who’s stood near a hedge filled with these little birds knows just how noisy and social they can be.

Sparrows in the Animal Kingdom

Sparrows are among the most widespread birds on Earth. You'll find them in cities, rural areas and woodlands across the globe. As members of the Passeridae family, they’re small, social, and adaptable.

While some birds like falcons and hawks tend to hunt solo, sparrows prefer company. A host of sparrows may gather in a tree, a bush or along a rooftop, constantly communicating through chirps and fluttering flight.

Collective Nouns Across Bird Species

The English language has a deep bench of collective nouns for birds. Some of these terms date back to hunting traditions and medieval texts like "The Book of Saint Albans." Others emerged from how we perceive bird behavior:

A murder of crows
A parliament of owls
A gaggle of geese (on land)
A skein of geese (in flight)
A charm of finches
A siege of herons
A raft of ducks (on water)
A colony of penguins

Birds such as starlings gather in a murmuration, while pheasants may form a nest or a nye. Each term attempts to describe a species' behavior, habitat, or vocalizations.

The animal kingdom doesn’t stop there. Here are a few more terms that help describe the incredible variety of bird behavior:

A muster of storks
A pod of pelicans
A pandemonium of parrots
A bouquet of hummingbirds
A conspiracy of ravens
A company of parrots
A band of jays
A rookery of rooks
A gulp of cormorants

Each of these collective nouns provides a snapshot of bird behavior and helps people connect to the natural world in more colorful, memorable ways.

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