[Tweeters] Renaming birds, and other things

[HAL MICHAEL]

I find that what people call things varies with the group.  Certainly there are official names but how many use Butterbut or PIGU or Sprig or Can or Hollywood Mallard or Hummingduck and so on.  The name is there to convey information about what you saw/heard.  

I know, too, that while there are times when my group may have our own name for something that we will use the official name when calling it to some other folks' attention.  

One problem with changing the name and consigning the older name(s) to the dustbin of history is that historic literature review becomes more difficult when names are lost or changed.


Hal Michael
Board of Directors,Ecologists Without Borders (http://ecowb.org/)
Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
ucd880 at comcast.net


> On 11/25/2023 9:25 AM PST Tom Benedict <benedict.t at comcast.net> wrote:

> 

>  

> The thoughtful comments of all posters on this subject are appreciated.

> 

> I’m reminded of a comment made to me by someone who knew nothing about birding, bird names, or much natural history in general, and definitely nothing about the historical personages associated within. She told me that she was surprised to learn recently that “Audubon” was a person. She thought “audubon” was French for “birdwatcher”!

> 

> As for myself, I have used the common bird names for so long that I am irrevocably biased toward continuing to do so and thus not qualified to weigh in on the topic. Others with clearer minds and histories can better inform the discussion and process. I will happily comply with the result. 

> 

> Tom Benedict

> Seahurst, WA

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