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murmuration

murmuration

1 9.3
A large group of starlings flying together in changing shapes
  • noun
  • /ˌmɜːrməˈreɪʃən/
translation icon : bandada
  • The birds gather in magical shape-shifting flocks called murmurations, having migrated in the millions from Russia and Scandinavia to escape winter's bite.

Examples

  • The birds gather in shape-shifting flocks called murmurations, having migrated in the millions from Russia and Scandinavia to escape winter's frigid bite.

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  • Incredible footage of a murmuration of a few thousand starlings taken on 19th November 2011, at dusk, on a lovely clear day just off the coast of West Kirby, Wirral, near Liverpool, UK.

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  • A murmuration of starlings at Gretna.

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  • Millions of these birds flowing together in a murmuration draw predators such as hungry hawks.

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  • I went back to the reserve, and the giant flock or murmuration of starlings was right next to me this time.

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  • Immense magical murmuration of spectacular starlings and a single falcon over Gretna, Scotland.

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  • This extraordinarily beautiful ballet at dusk is a pre-roosting phenomenon known as starling murmuration.

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  • As the sun began to set, the starlings created a breathtaking murmuration that danced across the sky.

  • At twilight, we watched a swirling murmuration of starlings form intricate shapes before settling for the night.

  • The murmuration of thousands of starlings captivated the audience with its synchronized movements and fluid patterns.

Synonyms

swarm
vsmurmuration
42 3.4

A large group of insects or people moving together without control

is a coordinated swirling movement typically by starlings rather than uncontrolled masses
flight
vsmurmuration
25 1.2

A group of birds flying together

is a coordinated swirling group specific to starlings rather than any bird group

How Big

murmuration
1 9.3
flock
82 1.0

Surface Forms

murmuration singular
murmurations plural

Morphology

murmuration = murmur (semi-transparent) = murmur + ation

Formally formed from 'murmur' + '-ation', but the specialized sense 'a flock of starlings' is a metaphorical extension and not directly predictable from the base by learners.

Etymology

Murmuration was later used for large flocks of starlings because the birds make a soft humming noise and move together like one living shape, much like a single murmur ('a low, soft sound'). So a murmuration of starlings is named for both the sound they make and the smooth, changing pattern they form.