What is a Group of Ducks Called?

Ducks are almost always seen in groups due to their social nature. A group of ducks can be described by a wide variety of collective nouns. The terms used depend on where the ducks are located, be it land, water, or air.

The noun also depends on whether the group is formed from adults or ducklings. Additionally, mallards have their own handful of nouns that are unique to them.

What is a Group of Ducks Called When They Are in Water?

A Raft of Ducks

When a group of ducks is in the water, they can be referred to as a ‘raft’. This term is used when the ducks are in very close proximity to one another, making them appear as one large body, somewhat resembling a raft.

The noun ‘raft’ is derived from the Old Norse word that means ‘multitude’. They assume this position as it provides security and warmth. As such, they often form ‘rafts’ to sleep.

A Raft of Ducks — A group of ruddy ducks swimming in the water
^{Credit: Rhododendrites by CC 4.0}

A Paddling of Ducks

Another collective noun for a group of ducks in the water is a ‘paddle’. This term is used due to the fact they use their webbed feet to paddle in the water. Hence, a paddle of ducks may be wading through shallow waters, or swimming in deep areas.

A Team of Ducks

When swimming in the water, a group of ducks may also be referred to as a ‘team’. Ducks are social animals and require companionship, hence the use of the collective noun ‘team’.

A Puddle of Ducks

‘Puddle’ is a collective noun used to describe a group of ducks that are swimming in the water. Typically, a puddle of ducks frequents shallower waters and can be fairly dispersed, and in smaller groups. Ducks in parks and backyards can be considered a ‘puddle’.

What is a Group of Ducks Called When They Are on Land?

A Badelynge of Ducks

‘Badelynge’ is a collective and countable noun used to describe a group of ducks that are on the ground.

A Badling of Ducks

When on the land, a group of ducks can be referred to as a ‘badling’. This collective noun is from Middle English and is rarely used anymore.

A Waddling of Ducks

A group of ducks on the ground is often called a ‘waddle’. This term is used due to the characteristic waddle movement ducks display when walking on land.

What is a Group of Ducks Called When They Are in Flight?

A Skein of Ducks

‘Skein’ is a term used to describe a group of ducks in flight. This collective noun is not specific to ducks but is also used interchangeably to describe geese and other wildfowl that are flying in a group.

Skein also means a piece of yarn or wool, and tight, orderly formations ducks assume when flying is said to resemble this. When very large migrations occur, the neat formations cannot be distinguished, and instead, the ducks resemble a tangled ball of wool.

A Flock of Ducks

When in flight, a group of ducks is often referred to as a ‘flock’. This term is used to describe a plethora of bird species, which can be feeding, resting, or traveling.

A flock of ducks, however, refers specifically to a large group, often when they are migrating. As such, flocks can be anywhere between 20 to thousands of ducks.

A Team of Ducks

As well as being used to describe a group of ducks that are swimming, the term ‘team’ also refers to a group of ducks in flight.

Ducks, like many birds, fly in a V-shaped formation, because it is an efficient way to travel. They take turns to assume the energy-depleting position at the front of the V. Hence, teamwork is key in a group of flying ducks.

What is a Group of Ducklings Called?

A Brood of Ducklings

A group of ducklings is referred to as a ‘brood’. Ducklings stay close to their mother for safety and warmth. A brood generally consists of anywhere from 8 to 15 ducklings.

What is a Pair of Ducks Called?

A group of ducks is called a ‘brace’. They form pairs during the breeding season and display seasonal monogamy, rather than life-long pairs.

The term ‘brace’ comes from Old English and is used in hunting, where it means two.

Other Names for a Group of Ducks

Bed of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Bevy of ducks – a group of ducks on the ground
Brade of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Coil of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Company of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Daggle of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Diving of ducks – a group of ducks in the water
Dopping of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Fleet of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Flight of ducks – a group of ducks in the sky
Flush of ducks – a group of ducks in the water
Game of ducks – a group of ducks in the water or sky
Gang of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Gathering of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Leash of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Order of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Party of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Plump of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Pryde of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Puddling of ducks – a group of ducks in the water
Safe of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Sort of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
String of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Trip of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Twack of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Wabbling of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere
Wedge of ducks – a group of ducks anywhere

What is a Flock of Ducks?

Is a Family of Ducks Considered a Flock?

Ducks show seasonal monogamy. This means they form a pair bond during the breeding season, but the following breeding season both the male and female will find a new partner to mate with.

Generally speaking, males show little to no parental care. Once the eggs have been laid and the incubation period has become, or once the duckling hatch, the male will leave the female to find a new mate.

This means in terms of a family; ducks are most commonly found as a mother with their ducklings. Rather than a flock, this group of ducklings is called a brood.

How Many Ducks are in a Flock?

The number of ducks in a flock can vary greatly. In wild ducks, flocks can be as small as 20 individuals, all the way up into the thousands.

Domestic and pet ducks form much smaller flocks. They tend to be between 3 and 15 individuals.

Why Do Ducks Group?

Ducks are a highly sociable species and are commonly seen in groups of varying sizes. They are seldom seen alone.

By forming groups, ducks provide each other with more safety, security, and protection. This equates to much higher survival rates for individuals that are part of the flock.

A large group of waterfowl possesses many more eyes than a solitary duck. This is beneficial because it means a higher and more successful rate of predator detection. Moreover, a large group means being on predator watch can be shared among individuals.

A lone duck would spend a considerable amount of time being vigilant and very little time foraging or finding a mate. However, the larger a group, the fewer time individuals need to spend being vigilant, allowing more time for them to forage. This is known as the ‘many eyes’ hypothesis.

Ducks are very vocal, meaning if a predator is detected, the rest of the group will be quickly notified. If a predator does attack a large group of ducks, they often become confused and overwhelmed by the sheer number of individuals. This increases the likelihood of an unsuccessful attack.

Ducks possess little in the way of self-protection. They lack sharp claws or strong teeth, meaning their best method of defense against a predator is to take flight. This shows the importance of protection in numbers.

When Do Ducks Group?

Ducks are highly gregarious. In fact, they are one of the most social bird species in the world. Outside of the breeding season, they form groups, meaning you will almost exclusively find ducks together. They are not solitary animals and need companionship otherwise they become lonely, isolated, and depressed.

During the breeding season, ducks form seasonal pairs and become aggressive toward each other in order to protect their mate. Hence, this is the only period ducks will commonly be seen in pairs. Nonetheless, groups still occur during the breeding season. This is largely due to the sex ratio in many duck populations being male-biased.

Outside of the breeding season, ducks are very friendly and sociable toward one another. It is not uncommon to see large groups of ducks mixed with other species of waterfowl.

Ducks remain in groups constantly. This includes when they are on land, in the water, and in the sky, as well as during both the day and night.

Disadvantages of Large Groups

Naturally, ducks are a highly vocal species. This noise is emphasized when ducks gather in large groups, which can attract predators and also hunters.

When food sources are scarce, large flocks can mean increased competition between individuals for food.

The disease is another problem that can come with large flocks. When ducks are constantly in close proximity to one another, diseases are spread more quickly and easily. Avian flu and avian cholera are two diseases that can spread like wildfire.

Fortunately, the positives of gathering in large flocks outweigh the negatives.

What is a Group of Mallard Ducks Called?

Mallards are the most common species of duck in the world. They frequent a wide variety of habitats throughout North America and Asia. Like other species of duck, they are incredibly social and form large groups.

Due to mallards being extremely common and abundant, they have their own set of collective nouns to describe a group of them. They are in addition to the collective nouns used generally for all species of duck.

Names for a Group of Mallards

Sword of mallards – a group of mallards anywhere
A suite of mallards – a group of mallards anywhere
Fistful of mallards – a group of mallards anywhere
Little knob of mallards – a group of mallards anywhere
Lute of mallards – a group of mallards anywhere

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