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gaggle
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gaggle

animal behavior
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Quick Summary

A "gaggle" is a collective noun primarily used to describe a group of geese when they are not in flight. The term originates from the Middle English verb "gagelyn," meaning "to cackle," and is likely imitative in origin. While "gaggle" specifically refers to geese on the ground, a group of geese in flight is called a "skein".12

More broadly, "gaggle" can also refer to any group, aggregation, or cluster that lacks organization. This can extend to groups of reporters, photographers, or even an indefinite number of things, such as participating in a "gaggle of petty crimes".1

Animal social behavior, including how animals group together, is a complex field of study. Animals may aggregate for various reasons, including feeding, defense, mating, and migration. These group behaviors can offer benefits such as protection from predators through dilution effects or coordinated defense.3

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6 Britannica Sources
  1. gaggle
  2. gaggle
  3. Collective Nouns: What Do You Call Groups of Things? | Geese, Ducks, Swans, and Their Location
  4. gaggles
  5. animal social behavior - Aggregation and individual protection
  6. animal social behavior - Cooperative foraging

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