A group of ducks is called different names depending on what they are doing or their location:
- On land, they are commonly called a flock or a waddling.
- When flying, the term skein is often used, but also flock or flight.
- When swimming on water, they are called a raft , paddling , or sometimes a badling.
- For a group of ducklings following their mother, the term brood is used.
Other less common collective nouns include bed, bevy, brace, brace, company, daggle, flush, game, gang, posse, and several more. The term "raft" for ducks on water comes from how tightly they stick together, resembling a raft floating on the water surface, which helps provide safety and warmth. In general, "flock" is the most universal and widely recognized term for a group of ducks whether flying, walking, or resting.
