Question · Culture
What Is a Group of Ravens Called?
A group of ravens is most commonly called an "unkindness" or a "conspiracy". "Unkindness" has the older historical record, appearing in English sources from the 15th century. "Conspiracy" is a modern term in widespread popular use. Neither is a strict scientific term — in ornithology, the word used is simply "flock".
The Historical Record: "Unkindness"
[lore] The collective noun "unkindness of ravens" appears in The Book of St Albans (1486), one of the earliest printed English books, which compiled lists of collective nouns for animals used in hunting and heraldry. The same work gives us "a murder of crows" and "a parliament of owls".1
These medieval collective nouns were largely literary inventions — poetic or alliterative phrases rather than terms in common everyday use. "Unkindness" may reflect the raven's reputation as a bird of ill omen, or its aggressive behaviour when competing for food.
"Conspiracy" — a Modern Addition
[lore] "Conspiracy of ravens" is not documented in historical sources with the same antiquity as "unkindness". It appears in modern popular books, wildlife websites, and social media from the late 20th century onwards. It has become widely used and is now found in many reference lists, but its origin is recent and unclear.
Both terms are used by English speakers today; neither is incorrect. If you need the historically attested term, use "unkindness".
What Ravens Actually Do in Groups
[science] Young, non-breeding Common Ravens (typically 1–3 year olds) form communal roosts that can reach hundreds or even thousands of birds, particularly in winter near large food sources. Adults with established territories rarely join these flocks — they roost with their partner in their territory.2
[science] Bernd Heinrich's research (Ravens in Winter, 1989) showed that ravens use communal roosts as "information centres": a raven that failed to find food at night will follow successful foragers from the roost in the morning. The group benefits because many birds searching a wide area find more food than any individual could alone.2
At large carcasses, groups of ravens will gather and can be noisy and competitive. This social feeding behaviour — not any conspiratorial intent — is likely what gave the birds their dramatic collective nouns.
The Scientific Term: Flock
[science] In ornithology and scientific writing, a group of ravens is called a flock. Scientific literature does not use "unkindness" or "conspiracy" — these are literary and popular terms. The distinction matters if you are reading or writing scientific material about ravens.
Related Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "unkindness of ravens" a real term?
Yes — "unkindness" is listed as a collective noun for ravens in historical and modern usage. It appears in sources as early as the 15th-century English hunting manuals. The origin is unclear; it may reflect ravens' reputation as bad omens or their aggressive behaviour at carcasses.
Is "conspiracy of ravens" a real term?
"Conspiracy" is a modern collective noun for ravens that has become widely used in popular writing and online sources. It is not documented in historical sources with the same antiquity as "unkindness". Both terms are used today, but "unkindness" has the stronger historical record.
What do ravens actually do in groups?
Young, non-breeding Common Ravens gather in communal roosts that can number hundreds of individuals. These groups share information about food locations: a raven that finds food will attract others from the roost, and the group benefits from many eyes finding more food across a wider area. This is not a conspiracy — it is cooperative information sharing.
Sources
- Berners, J. (1486). The Book of St Albans. (Facsimile ed.: Blades, W., 1881, Elliot Stock, London.) — earliest printed source for "unkindness of ravens".
- Heinrich, B. (1989). Ravens in Winter. Simon & Schuster. — communal roosting behaviour, information centre hypothesis.
[science] peer-reviewed/field-guide · [lore] named cultural/historical source