A group of magpies is referred to by a unique collective noun, often reflecting the bird’s appearance, sound, or perceived behavior. These terms have been used for centuries to describe various gatherings in the animal kingdom. Understanding the names for a group of magpies involves looking at a rich tradition of language and folklore. These names reflect how humans have observed and interpreted the social nature of these intelligent, black-and-white birds.
The Official Collective Nouns for Magpies
The most widely recognized collective noun for a group of magpies is a “tiding,” sometimes used as “tidings” in the plural form. This term is favored in ornithology and historical texts, likely due to the magpie’s association with news and omens in folklore. A “parliament” of magpies is another accepted term, also applied to owls, reflecting the bird’s reputation for complex social interactions.
Various other collective nouns are used, though they are less common or sometimes confused with terms for other corvids:
- A Mischief
- A Conventicle
- A Charm
- A Gulp
- A Chattering
- A Tittering
The last two terms directly relate to the magpie’s loud, distinctive vocalizations. While some may refer to a group as a “murder,” this noun is most accurately used for crows, even though magpies belong to the same family of birds.
Understanding the Naming Conventions
The descriptive collective nouns used for magpies often trace their origins to the medieval period. Many of these names are considered “terms of venery,” which served as a playful way to describe group structures. These terms were not always scientifically accurate but reflected human perception, folklore, and the bird’s most noticeable traits.
The term “tiding” derives from the Old English word tidan, meaning “to happen” or “to occur,” linking the bird to the delivery of news. This connection is immortalized in the old nursery rhyme that associates the number of magpies seen with sorrow or joy. The name “parliament” suggests a formal gathering, pointing to the magpie’s recognized intelligence and complex social hierarchies. Terms like “mischief” or “chattering” speak to the bird’s well-known noisy nature and reputation as a clever creature.
Why Magpies Gather
Magpies are generally social, but the size and purpose of their groups fluctuate based on the season and social status. During the breeding season, mated pairs are typically monogamous and solitary, maintaining a defined territory. Larger gatherings occur primarily in the non-breeding season, often composed of young, non-mated birds who have not yet established a territory.
These groups congregate for practical, survival-related reasons, such as communal roosting during colder winter months. Roosting together provides safety from predators and allows the birds to share body heat, conserving energy. Magpies also exhibit complex social behaviors in these groups, including cooperative foraging and gathering to resolve social standings or to mourn a deceased member. Flocks are typically small, numbering between 10 and 20 individuals, though some species may form larger communal roosts in winter.