[3] Birds of a Feather: Collective Nouns for Guillemots and their Meaning

Collective nouns for guillemots, also known as the foolbirds, include a few different terms that encompass the peculiar behavior and habitat preferences of these seabirds. When guillemots gather in groups, particularly during breeding seasons or while navigating across the oceans, they are commonly referred to as a colony, a loomery, or a bazaar of guillemots.

The choice of the word "colony" reflects the tendency of guillemots to breed and lay their eggs in dense and extensive congregations on rocky ledges or cliffs along the coastlines. Within these colonies, the guillemots build nests made of loose debris or dirt, forming dense and bustling communities from which they rear their offspring. A colony of guillemots evokes a vivid image of unity and synchrony as they carry out their communication, nest-building, and feeding activities in harmony.

The term "loomery" holds a whimsical essence, hinting at the charismatic flight patterns exhibited by guillemots as they glide, dive, and hover above the water surface, almost resembling small looms weaving intricate movements. The enormous gatherings of guillemots depicted as a loomery subtly brings to mind splendid tapestries created by nature. These multi-colored seabirds mingling and knitting through their ethereal mid-air choreographies conjure a sense of wonder and grace.

Furthermore, a group of guillemots can also be called a "bazaar," stemming from their tendency to congregate when seeking sustenance and nourishment in large numbers. During feeding bouts, guillemots engage in striking interactions, swimming side by side and diving simultaneously to grasp small fish or plankton below the water's surface. These bustling assemblies create a lively atmosphere, similar to that of a vibrant marketplace, with bustling guillemots engaging in continuous search, seize, and feast cycles.

Overall, these collective nouns admirably capture the cohesion, splendor, and busyness inherent in guillemots' behaviors. Whether it be the densely populated colonies along rocky heights, the seemingly painted patterns formed by guillemots in flight, or the lively exchanges occurring during feeding, they reflect the unique aspects of guillemots' social lives while embellishing the charm surrounding these seabirds.