The Surprising Name for a Group of Magpies Explained
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A group of magpies is not called a flock or a parliament, as you might expect, but rather a “murder” or most famously, a “murder of magpies.” However, for magpies specifically, the most widely recognized term is a “tidings” of magpies. This unique collective noun comes from the long tradition in English of assigning colorful names to groups of animals, particularly birds.
These collective nouns often reflect old folklore, observed behaviors, or characteristics of the species. For magpies, “tidings” may reference their reputation for being bearers of news or omens. Knowing the correct term is not just trivia; it enriches your understanding of language and birdwatching culture, and can add precision and color to your conversations about wildlife.
So, next time you spot several magpies together, you can confidently say you’ve seen a tidings of magpies.
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