What Do You Call A Group Of Owls?

Are you a nature enthusiast? If you are, Let me ask you this: have you ever been out in the woods late at night and heard the haunting sound of an owl hooting in the distance?

It’s both spine-tingling and awe-inspiring at the same time, isn’t it? But have you ever wondered what a group of these mysterious birds is called?

I mean, we have a pride of lions, a pack of wolves, and a gaggle of geese, so what about owls? Is it the wisdom of owls? Or a parliament of owls?

Well, I have got you covered. Plus, in this post, you will learn;

• If owls hunt in groups or not
• How owls interact with one another in groups
• Some interesting fun facts about owls that relate to their behavior in groups

And lots more. So, let’s get started.

READ: 7 Species Of Owls In South Carolina

What Is A Group Of Owls Called?

If you’ve ever had the good fortune to come across a bunch of owls in the wild, you might have wondered what you should even call them.

Let me assure you, this section is far from boring. However, In contrast to other animals, owls have several unusual and fascinating terminology to define their group.

Yet, “parliament” is one of these names that are both well-known and enigmatic. You may refer to a gathering of owls as a parliament, yes.

Let’s look more closely at the term’s etymology before you start visualizing a gathering of owls debating legislation while wearing suits and ties.

The medieval Latin term “parliament,” which means “debate,” is where the word “parliament” first appeared.

The name “parliament” is thought to have been chosen because of the owls’ reputation for wisdom and intelligence, even though it may seem weird to link owls with politics.

Several owl species have a strong sense of sociality and frequently roost in groups, especially in the winter months. It’s amazing how well-coordinated some of them are since some of them even work together to get their prey.

Thus it makes sense that the idea of a gathering of bright people to discuss important topics would be associated with owls. In fact, “parliament” is only one of several terms for a collection of owls.

Other terms, such as the “wisdom,” “stare,” and “bazaar” of owls, are also intriguing. Each of these names has a distinct origin and background, yet they all capture something special about these birds.

How Do Owls Typically Interact With One Another In Groups?

Let’s discuss how these animals behave in groups now that I have uncovered the realm of owl group names. Yet this isn’t the usual conversation at dinner parties.

Seeing owls together is quite rare. However, certain species, such as the snowy owl, are rather gregarious animals and often form groups in the winter.

Others, like the elf owl, prefer to fly alone and are primarily solitary. Nonetheless, there are a few typical ways owls engage with one another when they do gather in groups.

And during their calls, one of the most interesting things is revealed. If you’ve ever heard an owl hoot in the dead of night, you know that their sounds can be rather eerie.

READ: 10 Species Of Owls You Can Find In Michigan

You may not realize it, but such calls are a sort of communication. While in a group, owls interact with one another and mark their territory by using vocalizations.

To them, however, it is a complicated language that keeps them linked and structured, even if it may seem like a lot of hooting and shrieking to us.

Owls also communicate with one another in groups while grooming. Owls aren’t exactly famed for their grooming habits, I know what you’re thinking. But believe it or not, these birds are quite fastidious when it comes to their feathers.

And in a group, they’ll sometimes groom one another to maintain their hygiene and strengthen social bonds. But perhaps the most impressive form of interaction in owl groups is communal hunting.

With that said, these supposedly solitary hunters will sometimes team up to catch their prey. Species like the burrowing owl and the great horned owl have been known to work together, using coordinated tactics to flush out rodents and other small animals.

What Are Some Interesting Facts About Owls That Relate To Their Behavior In Groups?

Now that we’ve talked about owl group names and how they interact in groups, it’s time to dig a little deeper into their behavior.

Owls are amazing creatures with some truly unique characteristics, and their behavior in groups is no exception. First off, did you know that owls can turn their heads almost all the way around? Lols.

Thanks to their flexible necks and specialized vertebrae, they can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees in either direction.

However, this ability comes in handy when trying to keep an eye on potential threats or predators. Another interesting fact about owls is that they have some of the softest feathers in the bird world.

They can silently approach prey thanks to their feathers’ particular adaptation for silent flying. This covert strategy might be essential for capturing prey and evading other predators.

The capacity of owls to cooperate to accomplish a shared objective is possibly the most exciting part of their social activity.

Certain owl species, as I said before, will cooperate to seek food, using coordinated strategies to capture animals. Owls can communicate and work together even when they are not hunting to keep the group in harmony and peace.

The way owls separate themselves when roosting together is one illustration of this. Instead of crowding each other, they’ll carefully position themselves to avoid competition for resources and maintain a sense of personal space.

READ: 5 Most Common Species Of Owls In North Carolina

And if one owl becomes agitated or aggressive, the others will use calls and body language to calm the situation and restore order within the group.

Do Owls Hunt In Groups, Or Are They Primarily Solitary Hunters?

Let’s discuss the crucial matter of whether or not they go hunting together. The answer is a bit of a mixed bag, but let’s go in this direction.

Certain owl species, like the burrowing owl and the short-eared owl, have a reputation for hunting in groups. These guys work together to take down prey and increase their chances of success; they’re kind of like the ultimate wingmen.

Some species, such as the great horned owl, are solitary hunters and prefer to hunt in peace. So why do some owls hunt in groups while others hunt alone?

It all depends on their living conditions and the availability of prey. Prey may be difficult to find if you’re an owl living in a vast open area like grassland or desert.

In such a scenario, it could be a good idea to go hunting with your other feathery pals. Yet there is no need to share the prizes if you are residing in a deep forest with an abundance of available prey.

Nonetheless, some owls who hunt alone are very possessive of their hunting territory and won’t put up with any other owls invading it.

What it’s like to see a bunch of owls hunt together may now be something you’re curious about. You must feel as though you’re seeing the ultimate predator dream squad.

However, seeing owls hunting in groups is not very common. But if you do manage to see it, it’s a fairly incredible sight to see.

It’s possible to witness one owl swoop in to spook the prey while the other owl uses the opportunity to move in for the kill. The exercise resembles synchronized swimming, except it uses more feathers and talons.

READ: 8 Birds With Insanely Long Necks

With that said, there is no doubt that owls are among the coolest birds around, whether they are hunting alone or in groups. Their hunting abilities are certainly a miracle of evolution since they have evolved to live in a broad range of settings.

Conclusion

I’ve discussed the life of the owl world with you, from their group names to their social interactions to their hunting routines.

It is obvious that owls are wonderful animals with a lot to give and are much more than simply lovely and fluffy creatures.

However, you can go out and learn more about owls for yourself instead of taking my word for it. There is a ton to learn about these amazing birds, whether you enjoy birdwatching or are simply naturally interested.

Perhaps you’ll see a group of owls hunting together in the wild or be able to see a parliament of owls perched on a tree.