Murmuration: The collective noun for a flock of starlings. Attributed since about 1450, “one of many alleged group terms found in late Middle English glossarial sources, but not otherwise substantiated” (OED). Revived and popularized in the 20th century.
European starlings are regarded as pests in the US, but it’s hard not to be awestruck by their flocking behavior, which is no less magnificent for its being a survival function. In this video, which went viral last week, British artists Sophie Windsor Clive and Liberty Smith capture a murmuration during their canoe trip on the River Shannon in Ireland. Watch:
(Via multiple sources, including Kottke and Andrew Sullivan.)
Read about the mathematics of murmurations (Telegraph, UK) and the physics of murmurations (Wired Science).
A list of collective nouns for birds, from the Palomar Audubon Society in Escondido, California.
UPDATE: Read a post about murmuration at Sesquiotica, a fine blog about “words, words words.”
That's spectacular, thank you!
Posted by: Duchesse | November 07, 2011 at 10:25 AM
You and your readers must check out my favorite poet (and friend) Jake Adam York. His second collection of poetry is called A Murmuration of Starlings, and is sublime.
jakeadamyork.com
Posted by: Aaron Templer | November 15, 2011 at 02:59 PM