What is a Group of Ducks Called? (Complete List + Why?)

Ducks are very sociable birds and almost always live in flocks. Most collective nouns usually date back to the late Middle Ages, but are still used today. But let’s cut to the chase; what’s a flock of ducks called?

The collective noun used for a flock of ducks depends on where they are located. For example, a flock of ducks could be called a raft or paddle. On the ground, a flock of ducks may be called waddling and badelyng or badling – a common term to describe a flock of ducks.

Read on for a complete list of duck names, specific collective nouns for specific species of ducks, and more information on why and when they form groups.

Other names for a flock of ducks

• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• battle of ducks
• a bed of ducks
• a pair of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• a roll of duck
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• duck diving
• duck stimulant
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• duck game
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• one (three) ducks
• a piece of duck
• Pipa Duck
• one paddle duck
• a flock of ducks
• a pair of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• a fat duck
• a flock of ducks
• a pool of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• duck safe
• a bunch of ducks
• little duck
• a flock of ducks
• a flock of ducks
• duck pain
• a duck
• a bunch of ducks
• bunch of ducks
• set of ducks
• team of ducks
• duck trip
• duck swing
• wedge duck

What is the name of a flock of flying ducks?

When flying, a flock of ducks can be called a skein, a flock, or a team. Other terms are used, but these three are the most widely used.

The term skein can also be applied to a flock of geese and ducks in flight, and we detail why this term is used below.

A flock of wild ducks flying in the sky

Why the “skein” of a duck or goose?

Skein is the term used to describe a flock of ducks, geese, or other game birds in flight. A different meaning is a length of yarn or wool.

“Skein” is considered to be a collective noun for ducks, geese, and other wild birds in flight; such birds generally fly in neat, orderly, close formations, like a thread of yarn or wool in the air.

It might take a little imagination or squinting, but the next time you see a flock of these birds in flight, see if you can spot the resemblance!

Orderly formations can often be seen in small flocks of birds in flight. When hundreds of ducks, geese and wildfowl migrate, the lines are invisible and instead appear as giant balls of wool.

Why is a group of ducks called a raft?

When ducks form groups on the water, they tend to be very close to each other, giving them the appearance of a solid floating duck body. Therefore, they are like rafts floating on the water.

Flocks of ducks can be seen both day and night. At night, ducks can often form these groups to sleep on the water.

This provides them with more security because there are more birds to provide surveillance and to put off predators when they are together.

A flock of ducks floating on the water

What is a group of ducklings called?

The most common term for a flock of ducklings is a brood, other names include flock and wobbler. Most ducks usually have a clutch of about 12 eggs, which means that a flock of ducklings usually consists of 12 chicks.

A group of ducklings follow their mother

Why do ducks gather in groups?

Ducks usually feel most at ease when they are in groups. This is because they are outgoing and sociable birds.

Forming these large groups usually means more security for the ducks and may mean higher survival rates of the group.

First, large flocks of waterfowl have more eyes and are better at spotting nearby predators. Ducks, as we know, are not the quietest of animals, and members of a flock are quick to notify others.

Second, if a predator decides to attack, they are often overwhelmed by the number of targets, which confuses them and means their attacks become less successful.

While gathering in these large groups is mainly beneficial, there are also some negative effects. For example, the loud noises of conspicuous birds attract both predators and hunters.

Another negative factor may be that the larger the flock, the greater the competition for food. This is usually only a problem when food sources are not abundant in certain habitats. When there is not enough food, some birds in the flock cannot find food.

Disease can also become a problem when large birds are in close proximity to each other for extended periods of time. Fowl cholera is one of many diseases that can be spread through bird-to-bird contact or ingestion of contaminated water or food.

In general, the pros outweigh the cons, and ducks, and other game birds (such as geese) survive better in large flocks.

a flock of mallard ducks

When do ducks come together?

Ducks are one of the most gregarious (highly sociable) birds in the world and form groups outside of the breeding season.

During the breeding season, ducks can become very aggressive and protect their mates from other birds.

When the breeding season is over, the ducks become more friendly among themselves and will happily form large flocks with many other ducks. This not only includes their own species, but can often include various geese and different types of waterfowl.

You will likely see ducks together most of the time, and this may include breeding season. One reason for this is because there are usually more males (drakes) than females (hens) in a duck flock.

Because of this, it means that many male birds are often unable to find a mate and will often form groups with other males.

How many ducks are there in a flock?

There isn’t really a definitive answer to this, because the number of ducks in a flock varies a lot. Ducks in the wild can form flocks of anywhere from 10 to 20 individuals to hundreds or even thousands.

Domestic and pet ducks usually range from three to fifteen, depending on the type of flock. For example, ducks as backyard pets usually contain about three birds, but a medium-sized hobby flock contains 15 – 20 birds.

small flock of pet or domestic ducks

What is a pair of ducks called?

Generally, a pair of ducks is called a pair. Ducks pair during the breeding season.

Mallard ducks tend to start mating in October and November and usually nest in March.

The word “brace” dates back to Old English times and has Anglo-French origins. It is often used for hunting, where one bracket usually means two. But in the case of ducks, it is used to describe a pair.

What do you call a flock of mallard ducks?

Mallard ducks are one of the most common duck species in the world and can be found in most places. Like most other ducks, they are very sociable and live in large flocks.

There are many different collective nouns to describe a flock of mallards; the most widely used include a sword, a set, and a fist.

Because mallards are so common, there are many collective nouns to describe a group of them. Some are downright wacky and weird, but that’s usually the case with most collective nouns!

Read on below for a complete list of mallard collective nouns.

A small flock of ducks resting together

Other terms for a group of mallards:

• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• battle of mallards
• a bed of wild ducks
• a pair of ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• circle of mallards
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• a flock of mallard ducks
• a mallard
• mallard belt
• a small piece of wild duck
• Pipa’s wild duck
• mallard with one paddle
• a flock of wild ducks
• busty mallard
• a flock of wild ducks
• a pool of wild ducks
• a flock of wild ducks
• safe mallard
• bunch of ducks
• a handful of wild ducks
• a wild duck
• a flock of wild ducks
• mallard pain
• a wild duck
• a bunch of wild ducks
• set of ducks
• Wild Duck Sword
• a flock of wild ducks
• duck trip
• waddling mallard