Coyotes are clever, adaptable canines that roam the wilderness of North America in tight-knit packs. If you’ve ever wondered what the proper term is for a group of these wild dogs, you’re not alone.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: the correct term for a group of coyotes is a pack or band. But keep reading to learn much more about the terminology and behavior of these fascinating creatures.
In this nearly 3,000 word guide, we’ll cover everything you ever wanted to know about referring to groups of coyotes. You’ll learn the proper collective nouns used to describe coyote packs, interesting facts about their pack hierarchy and hunting strategies, and how to tell the difference between a pack, gang, and other coyote assemblies.
The Proper Terms
A Pack
The most common term used to describe a group of coyotes is a “pack.” Coyotes are highly social, family-oriented animals that live and hunt in packs. A typical coyote pack consists of 5-10 related individuals, including the breeding pair (the alpha male and alpha female), their current pups, and some offspring from previous years.
Coyote packs operate with a strict hierarchy, led by the alpha pair. The pack works together to hunt prey, defend their territory, and raise pups. Pack members communicate through a variety of vocalizations including howls, yips, and barks.
Calling a group of coyotes a “pack” emphasizes their cooperative social structure and family bonds.
A Band
“Band” is also an acceptable term for a group of coyotes. This word focuses more on the group living and moving together. While perhaps less common than “pack,” calling coyotes a “band” highlights the way they stick together and travel as a cohesive unit.
It conjures imagery of the coyotes walking or running together through the landscapes they inhabit. So while subtlety different than “pack,” “band” still captures an important aspect of coyote social behavior and lifestyle.
Other Correct Choices
A few other terms can be correctly used when referring to multiple coyotes together:
- A “troop” of coyotes emphasizes the numbers of individuals staying and moving together.
- “Route” can refer to a family unit of coyotes defending its territory. This focuses on their local area.
- “Down” is an older term which likened coyotes to foxes. It is not commonly used today.
Coyote Pack Hierarchy and Behavior
The Alpha Pair
Coyotes live in packs that are typically dominated by an alpha male and an alpha female who are the only breeding pair. The alpha pair leads the pack and has the highest social rank, with the other pack members being their offspring from previous years.
According to wildlife experts, the alpha pair makes the decisions about when and where to hunt and rest, defending territories, and raising pups. Their top status allows them first access to food, the best dens and burrows, and breeding rights.
Hierarchy Within the Pack
Under the alpha pair in the hierarchy are the beta coyotes who help reinforce the alpha’s status and authority in the pack. The betas may be older offspring that haven’t dispersed from the pack yet or unrelated coyotes that have joined the pack.
Below them in rank are the lowest status coyotes often called omega or transient coyotes. These are typically younger offspring still learning to hunt and survive. The betas and omegas submit to the authority of the alpha pair by displays of submissive behavior such as whimpering, tail-tucking, rolling over, etc.
Interestingly, some research suggests that beyond the alpha pair, the hierarchy may be less rigid than traditionally thought. There can be fluidity in the hierarchy aside from the consistently dominant alphas.
The packs work more like families collaborating under the leadership of the alpha pair rather than a strict authoritarian system.
Hunting and Feeding Strategies
Coyotes are versatile and opportunistic predators that employ a variety of clever hunting strategies. They often hunt alone especially when catching small prey like rats or rabbits. But they may also collaborate in small groups of 2-3 coyotes to bring down larger prey like deer.
According to wildlife ecologists, coyotes have been observed using tactics like one coyote flushing deer towards another waiting in ambush.
At kills or carcasses, the alpha pair always feeds first, followed by the betas, and finally the omegas. Interestingly, adult coyotes will regurgitate meat for the young pups to eat. Coyotes will also cache or store excess food for later.
Their wide-ranging hunting territories often have many small caches spread across it rather than a central den to avoid theft from other predators.
| Coyote Pack Role | Key Traits |
| Alpha Pair (Breeding Male & Female) | – Highest ranking, leads pack – First access to resources – Only mature coyotes that breed |
| Betas | – Reinforce alpha status/authority – Higher ranking than omegas – May help raise pups |
| Omegas | – Lowest status coyotes – Usually younger offspring – Learn hunting from alphas |
Other Names for Assemblies of Coyotes
A Gang
A group of coyotes is often referred to colloquially as a “gang.” This term likely arose from the tendency of coyotes to roam and hunt in packs. Typically, a coyote gang consists of the alpha pair and their offspring from the previous 1-2 years. The average size of a coyote gang is 5-6 individuals.
Coyote gangs will work cooperatively to hunt prey and defend their territory. They communicate effectively through vocalizations like yips, barks, and howls. According to a study, the complex social structure of coyote gangs may contribute to their ability to thrive in urban and suburban areas.
A Residency
Scientists sometimes refer to a group of coyotes as a “residency.” This term reflects that coyotes establish stable home ranges. While the territories of different coyote residencies may overlap, they tend to avoid directly interacting with coyotes outside of their core social group.
Coyote residencies exhibit site fidelity. For example, research by urban ecologist Dr. Shelley Alexander in Vancouver found that coyotes reside in localized areas of the city for multiple generations rather than ranging nomadically.
Maintaining a stable residency allows coyotes to become familiar with resources and threats in their habitat.
Incorrect Terminology
Some common terms used to describe groups of coyotes are technically incorrect. For example, coyotes do not form organized “packs” like wolves do. Even mated coyote pairs hunt independently rather than coordinating moves.
Also, referring to a group of coyotes as a “band” or “flock” is inaccurate. These words imply loose affiliations, whereas coyote gang members often remain together for life. Finally, calling them a “herd,” while sometimes used, is silly since coyotes are clearly not hoofed animals!
Conclusion
We’ve covered the proper terminology used to describe groups of coyotes—including pack, band, gang, and residency—along with details on the hierarchy and habits of a coyote pack.
The most common correct choice is a pack or band. Within a pack, breeding coyotes hold alpha status while subordinates assist with raising pups and hunting prey.
Understanding the social structure and lexicon around these intelligent canines provides deeper insight into their behaviors. Hopefully this guide gave you what you were looking for in understanding how to refer to assemblies of the clever coyote.
