Podcast Summary
Updating Common Names of North American Birds: The American Ornithological Society plans to change common names of 150 North American bird species to better reflect taxonomic relationships and eliminate confusion
The American Ornithological Society has announced plans to change the common names of approximately 150 North American bird species. This news has sparked excitement and curiosity among bird enthusiasts. Each bird species has both a scientific name and a common name. Scientific names are standardized and universally accepted, while common names can vary and change freely. Some common names are eponymous, named after people, while others may be descriptive or derived from local folklore. The American Ornithological Society maintains a checklist of North American birds, and updates the list annually. The upcoming changes to common names are expected to better reflect the birds' taxonomic relationships and to eliminate confusion or inconsistencies. The process of officially changing common names is ongoing and will likely involve input from various stakeholders, including bird experts, Indigenous communities, and the general public. Stay tuned for more updates on this intriguing development in the world of bird biology.
Bird names inspired by historical figures often honor influential people but some may have offensive names: The American Ornithological Society has made some name changes to address offensive bird names, reflecting the evolving values and inclusivity in the birding community.
Many bird species in North America and Central/South America have been named after people, with approximately 150 and 110 species respectively. These eponymous common names often honor naturalists, ornithologists, and other influential figures. However, some of these historical figures may have committed offensive actions, leading to problematic names that can be exclusionary to certain groups. The American Ornithological Society (AOS) has made some name changes to address these issues, such as renaming the long-tailed duck from "old squaw" to "long-tailed duck" in 2000 and the Macoun's longspur to "thick-billed longspur" in 2019. The AOS prioritizes stability in bird names but has recognized the importance of addressing offensive names. The ongoing conversation around renaming problematic bird names reflects the evolving values and inclusivity in the birding community.
AOS Commits to Changing Offensive Bird Names: The American Ornithological Society is renaming birds with derogatory or exclusionary names, forming a diverse committee, involving the public, and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the birding community.
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) has committed to changing all eponymous and offensive bird names within its jurisdiction, forming a new diverse committee to oversee the process, and involving the public in choosing new names. This decision comes as part of a larger movement, "bird names for birds," which aims to name birds based on their unique qualities rather than human names. The AOS recognizes the importance of bird names in communication and connection with birds, and that derogatory or exclusionary names can be barriers to engagement and enjoyment for diverse audiences. This initiative is part of a larger effort to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the birding community and beyond. The AOS is embracing this opportunity to educate the public about the birds themselves and their conservation needs.
Eliminating Controversial Bird Names: The American Ornithological Society is eliminating eponymous bird names due to potential biases and disagreements in evaluating historical figures, starting with approximately 10 names in 2024
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) has decided to eliminate all eponymous bird names due to the intractability of making fair and standardized judgments on historical figures, some of whom held controversial views or engaged in harmful actions. The AOS acknowledges that some of these individuals made valuable contributions to ornithology, but the process of evaluating each name on a case-by-case basis would be open to bias and disagreement, potentially causing unwelcome distractions. Instead, the AOS will pilot a program to replace approximately 10 bird names in 2024, marking the beginning of a long process towards a more inclusive and less exclusionary system for naming birds. The discussion also highlighted the controversial histories of John Backman and John James Audubon, two naturalists whose names are currently associated with various bird species, but whose views on race and human rights have been criticized. The decision to eliminate eponymous bird names reflects a broader societal trend towards reevaluating and challenging problematic historical legacies.
Renaming 200 bird species in North America: The AOS is working on renaming around 200 bird species in North America, aiming to replace offensive or exclusionary names with more descriptive and meaningful ones, which is expected to take years and involve collaboration with ornithological societies in Central and South America.
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) is working on renaming around 200 bird species in the Americas, starting with those that breed primarily in North America. This process is expected to take years and will involve collaboration with ornithological societies in Central and South America to determine the most appropriate stewards of English common names in those regions. While some may see this as a challenge, such as having to learn new bird names and updating educational and scientific materials, others view it as an opportunity to get rid of offensive or exclusionary names and replace them with more descriptive and meaningful ones. For instance, Kirtland's Warbler could be renamed Jack Pine Warbler, reflecting its breeding habitat. Ultimately, the AOS has acknowledged that this process will be polarizing, but they believe that the benefits of updating bird names outweigh the challenges. Additionally, it's important to note that bird names have been changing for over a century, and field guides and scientific databases are already updated frequently to reflect these changes.
Bird names evolve, but scientific names stay constant: Scientific names remain stable for clear communication among bird experts and enthusiasts, while common names may change.
Bird taxonomy and common names are constantly evolving, but scientific names remain stable and globally recognized. The American Ornithological Society recently announced plans to rename some birds with eponymous common names, but the scientific names will not change. This decision has been mostly well-received by the scientific community and bird enthusiasts. While some may find the new names confusing, the use of scientific names ensures clear communication and understanding among scientists and bird lovers worldwide. Bird ID apps like Merlin offer convenience and additional features, making them popular alternatives to physical field guides. Despite the changes, the importance of accurate and descriptive names for facilitating understanding of birds and biodiversity remains paramount.
Bird Name Changes Spark Controversy: Some birding community members are excited about upcoming name changes, while others oppose them due to perceived difficulties, politicization, and potential for unwanted outcomes. Public input and engagement remain contentious issues.
The upcoming bird name changes have sparked strong reactions from the birding community. While some are excited about the innovation, others are opposed to the changes, citing various reasons such as the difficulty of memorizing new names and the perceived politicization of the process. Some critics have accused the American Ornithological Society of having a "scorched Earth political agenda," while others view the renaming as a vanity project. There are also concerns about the potential for public input leading to unwanted outcomes, as seen in the Boaty McBoatface debacle. Despite these concerns, there are also those who see the opportunity for public engagement as a positive development. Ultimately, the impact of these changes will depend on how they are implemented and received by the birding community and the wider public.
Renaming Birds with Eponyms: A Debate on Inclusivity and Descriptiveness: The debate on renaming birds with eponyms focuses on making birding more inclusive and providing descriptive names. Some suggestions include Harris's hawk as 'Wolf in hawk's clothing', Clark's nutcracker as 'Montane pine nut smuggler', Bachman's sparrow as 'Southern skulking sparrow', and Brewer's blackbird as 'Glossy black asphalt prowler'.
The debate surrounding the potential renaming of birds with eponyms involves differing perspectives. Some believe it's necessary to make birding more inclusive and provide opportunities for meaningful, descriptive names. Others may find the prospect of learning new names overwhelming, but there's also the exciting possibility for common people to contribute to the naming process. Here are some suggestions for new bird names based on their characteristics: 1. Harris's hawk: Wolf in hawk's clothing or tricolored mop hawk, due to its social behavior and distinctive appearance. 2. Clark's nutcracker: Montane pine nut smuggler or gray pinecone gremlin, because of its role in storing pine seeds. 3. Bachman's sparrow: Southern skulking sparrow or melodious ghost sparrow, inspired by its secretive nature and lovely song. 4. Brewer's blackbird: Glossy black asphalt prowler or pale-eyed parking lot pirate, in reference to their adaptability and foraging habits. Overall, this change could lead to more descriptive, inclusive, and potentially poetic names for birds, making the experience of birdwatching even more enjoyable for everyone.
Bird names in the Western Hemisphere are being updated to reflect each bird's unique qualities: Bird names in the Western Hemisphere are being updated to better represent each bird's unique traits, making them more inclusive and accessible to all.
Some bird names in the Western Hemisphere, including those with eponymous, honorific origins, are being phased out and replaced with names that reflect each bird's unique qualities. For instance, the Huttons Vireo, previously known as Vireo huttonii, is being considered for a new common name due to its lack of musicality and its resemblance to the ruby-crowned kinglet, despite the two birds being unrelated. This change is part of an effort to make bird names more inclusive and accessible to people of all backgrounds. The process is not immediate and there is time for preparation and adjustment. This shift may also affect English bird names globally, potentially rendering current eponym dictionaries obsolete. The host of the podcast, Ivan Phillipson, expresses his preference for bird names that celebrate each species' distinctive traits and encourages listeners to share their suggestions. The podcast's continued production is supported by patrons on Patreon, who make significant contributions to the birding community by enabling free access to the podcast for the world.