SANParks.org Forums

A leap of leopards
A dazzle of zebras
A pride of lions
A parliament of owls

What about?
Rhino
Hippopotamus
Cheetah
Elephants
Dung Beetles
Baboons
Monkeys
etc
etc
etc

A few insects:
Ants Colony, Army
Bees Swarm, Grist, Hive
Butterflies Kaleidoscope, Swarm, Rabble
Caterpillars Army
Flies Swarm, Business
Gnats Swarm, Cloud, Horde
Grasshoppers Cluster
Locusts Plague
Spiders Clutter

Reptiles:
Crocodiles Bask
Snakes Den, Nest, Pit
Turtles Turn
Vipers Nest

Fish:
Archer fish Company
Barracuda Battery
Bass Shoal, Fleet
Butterfly fish School
Dogfish Troop
Dragonet fish Swarm
Eels Swarm
Fish Shoal, School
Flying fish Glide
Goldfish Troubling
Herrings Glean, Army, Shoal
Minnows Stream
Porcupine fish Cluster
Rainbow fish Party
Salmon Bind
Sea Horses Herd
Sticklebacks Spread
Swordfish Flotilla
Trout Hover

And birds:
Birds Volery
Bitterns Sedge, Siege
Budgerigars Chatter
Bustards Flock
Capercaillies Tok
Chickens Brood, Peep
Choughs Chattering, Clattering
Coots Cover, Raft
Cormorants Flight
Cranes Sedge, Siege
Crows Murder, Hover
Curlews Head
Doves Flight, Dole, Dule, Pitying, Prettying
Ducks Flush, Team
(diving) dopping
(in flight) team, plump
(on water) Paddling
(brood) Flush
(pair) Brace
Dunlin Fling
Eagles Convocation
Falcons Cast
Finches Charm, Trimming, Trembling
Geese (at rest) Gaggle, Flock, Nide
(in flight) Skein
Goldfinches Glister, Charm, Chattering, Drum, Troubling
Goshawks Flight
Grouse Covey
(single family) Brood
(large group) Pack
Guillemots Bazaar
Gulls Colony, Pack
Hawks Cast, Leash, Kettle
Hens Brood
Herons Sedge, Siege
Hummingbirds Shimmer, Charm
Jays Band, Party
Lapwings Desert, Deceit
Larks Exultation, Bevy, Ascension
Magpies Tittering, Tiding
Mallards Sord
(on land) Flush, Sute
(on water) Puddling
Merlins Leash
Nightingales Watch, Match
Owls Parliament, Stare
Parrots Flock, Company
Partridges Covey, Bew
Peacocks Muster, Ostentation, Pride
Penguins Raft (in water), Waddle (on dry land)
Pheasants Nye, Bouquet
Pigeons Flight, Flock
Plovers Congregation, Leash, Wing
Poultry Run
Puffins Raft
Quail Bevy, Covey
Ravens Unkindness, Conspiracy
Rooks Parliament, Building, Clamour
Ruffs Hill
Sea Fowl Cloud
Seagulls Squabble
Sheldrakes Dopping, Doading
Snipe (at rest) Walk
(in flight) Wisp
Sparrows Host, Quarrel, Tribe
Starlings Murmuration
Storks Mustering
Swallows Flight
Swans Herd, Bank, Bevy, Game, Squadron, Wedge, Whiteness, Drift
Swifts Flock
Teal Spring, Coil, Knob, Raft
Terns Dread
Thrushes Mutation
Turkeys Flock, Dole, Dule, Raffle, Raft, Rafter
Turtledoves Pitying
Vultures Wake
Waterfowl Plump
Widgeon Company, Bunch, Coil, Knob
Wildfowl Trip
Woodcock Fall, Covey, Plump
Woodpeckers Descent
Wrens Herd

Wow thanks very much!
In the absence of a collective noun for "Dung-beetles" how about some creative suggestions?
How about "A ball of dung-beetles"

A busy of dung-beetles or a ball of dung-beetles.

Anyone know what the collective noun is for chameleons?

Not a clue, but wouldn't "kaleidoscope" be nice for them? Shame that's it's already been taken by butterflies. But then, collective nouns are not unique per species by rule.
On the other hand, my train of thought (I admit, quite frequently on a derailment course) leads me to believe that "true" collective nouns apply only to animals that are commonly seen in more or less larger numbers?? I must admit that I have never seen a flock, or herd, or even parliament of chameleons? I did see a "bunch of hatchlings" (25-30) though... but only once.

Thanks Jose and yes they are rarely seen in a group! Someone else has suggested a "camouflage of chameleons" and this sounds rather apt!

We recently had the same discussion regarding chameleons. The problem is that you really "never" have a congregation of chameleon since they are solitary animals.

How about a "stink" of dung-beetles?

Yes love that one! very apropos!

Also like a stink of dung beetles, we always call it a 'dump' of dung beetles

Sounds good to me...

Think we could also give these little guys a bit more credit sometimes too:
How about a "pride" of dung beetles!

I agree with Graeme: dung beetles play a vital ecological role. It's my understanding that in Xhosa culture, they are called the "doctors of the road." I thus suggest: "a dose of dung beetles."

or a 'prescription or script of dung beetles' perhaps

I like the sound of a ding of dung beetles.
(sorry, no doctor connection)