A parliament is the traditional collective noun used for a group of owls.

The longer version

Collective nouns for birds flourished as a literary fashion, and owls acquired one of the best known. The word parliament evokes a gathering of elders sitting in silent rows, an image drawn from the way these birds perch upright and watchful.

Nothing about owl behaviour is especially legislative. Most species are solitary or live in pairs, defending a territory rather than assembling in councils. The charm of the term is that it captures the impression of solemnity: a rounded head, forward-facing eyes and motionless posture make an owl look as though it is deliberating. Such names reveal more about the people who coined them than about the animals themselves.

Where this entry sits

This collection gathers small surprises about mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects, and the pets living alongside people. Expect odd details about senses, anatomy, and everyday behaviour that many people never notice in the animals around them. The full list sits on the Animals page, where every entry is listed in order.