a group of birds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a group of birds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple birds that are gathered together in one place. Example: "As I walked through the park, I noticed a group of birds perched on the fence, chirping happily."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A group of birds is called a flock.

The New York Times

Moments later, unexpectedly, a group of birds cut across the sky.

The New York Times

This can be seen in the feeding behaviour of the oystercatchers, a group of birds that eat bivalve mollusks.

Britannica

As if on cue, a group of birds was observed hovering over a rooftop across the street.

The New York Times

Following successful breeding at the facility, a group of birds was released on Sado Island on 25th September 2008, with further reintroductions in subsequent years.

Journal for Nature Conservation

On a squall-raised hummock I sat and took out my glass, in the deep channel alongside a group of birds.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The group carried out a statistical analysis of its anatomical traits that placed it in a group of bird-like dinosaurs called deinonychosaurs.

The Guardian

Because of an editing error, an earlier version of a picture caption with this article misstated the location of a group of bird watchers counting bald eagles.

The New York Times

Parker's story collection, "Damage,"(PS Publishing ) ranges in subject matter from selkies to rock stars to strange rituals among a group of bird-watchers.

The Washington Post

When Anchiornis was first described, it was considered a likely basal bird, then found to belong to a group of bird-like dinosaurs called troodontids, but now the Aurornis analysis has moved it back again.

The Guardian

A group of bird-watching experts at Cornell reviewed 18 scopes made by a variety of companies, from Pentax and Nikon at the moderately priced end to high-end manufacturers like Zeiss and Leica.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a group of birds" when you want to refer to birds in a general, non-specific gathering. If the specific type of bird gathering is relevant (e.g. birds in flight), consider more descriptive alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "a group of birds" repetitively in your writing. Vary your language with more specific terms like "flock", "flight", or "covey" depending on the context to add nuance and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a group of birds" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. The Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common and grammatically correct usage, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a group of birds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to describe a collection of birds. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, from formal scientific literature to casual news articles. While generally neutral in tone, varying your language with more specific terms like "flock", "flight", or "covey" depending on the context can add nuance and precision. When describing birds, ensure that you use the plural form "birds" and maintain consistency in your writing by avoiding overuse of general terms. The New York Times, Britannica, and The Guardian are among the authoritative sources that employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flock of birds

Replaces "group" with "flock", a more specific term for a collection of birds.

a gathering of birds

Substitutes "group" with "gathering", emphasizing the act of coming together.

a collection of birds

Uses "collection" instead of "group", highlighting the assembled nature.

an assembly of birds

Replaces "group" with "assembly", suggesting a more organized or formal gathering.

a number of birds

Offers a more general quantity using "number" instead of "group".

several birds

Uses "several" to indicate more than two but not a large quantity.

some birds

A less specific way to refer to multiple birds.

a bird colony

Implies a more settled or nesting group of birds.

a flight of birds

Emphasizes the birds in flight.

a covey of birds

Refers specifically to a small group of birds, particularly partridges or similar fowl.

FAQs

What's another way to say "a group of birds"?

You can use more specific terms like "a flock of birds" if they are gathered closely together or "a flight of birds" if they are flying.

Is it correct to say "a group of bird"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct phrase is "a group of birds", using the plural form "birds" because it refers to multiple birds.

When should I use "a flock of birds" instead of "a group of birds"?

"A flock of birds" specifically refers to birds of the same species that are gathered closely together, often flying or feeding together. Use "a group of birds" when the species or proximity is not specified.

What is the difference between "a group of birds" and "a colony of birds"?

"A colony of birds" implies a nesting or breeding group, often in a specific location like a cliff or island. "A group of birds" is a more general term for any collection of birds.