We don't have to cast this as an either/ or discussion. We can care about the birds and conservation and also care about how naming conventions affect those who are often disenfranchised.
While I appreciate the concern of some that name changes are an effort to hide history, I disagree. First of all, the scientific names are currently still remaining eponymous. Second, all the birds that aren't eponymously named aren't concealing any history by being so-named. The history remains available to all who want to know it, and if we are concerned these individuals will somehow be forgotten or remembered in some inaccurate way, having a bird name or not doesn't address that issue one way or another.
Usually those who are interested in name changes are so interested not because of trying to sanitize history or demonize historical figures, but rather to allow for the expansion of our historical lens to include those who are often left out or seen as less important. People often talk the talk about wanting to make birding more inclusive, and this is one pretty small thing in that direction. While some may find it silly or not the most effective step, the fact that it is meaningful and important to some people should be respected. We can't tell people we want to be more inclusive for them and then disregard what they ask for to feel included.
We do birds no favors by trying to put this issue against conservation or other important issues. We have room and capacity for more than one issue at a time, and the reality is that the future of birds in part depends on more people caring about birds, and thus inclusivity is essential for bird survival.
We can see this as an exciting opportunity for bird names to become useful in understanding something about the birds.
Diana Beatty
El Paso County
On Sat, Nov 4, 2023, 9:06 AM Dan Zmolek <dslashdz@gmail.com> wrote:
The conservation point is that, when you decide whether to support an organization, it is better to look at their actual track record in getting positive outcomes for the birds. And there really should be a lot more discussion of wildlife protection than these side issues. You can keep arguing about the name after the bird is extinct, but what's the point.But the bird name topic is interesting. I would recommend the book : Mrs Moreau's Warbler: How Birds Got Their Names. That gives a neat account of English bird names and how various folks have been trying to standardize them ever since. In particular, it was interesting to read about MacGuillivray's work. And the number of cool folk names that have been left by the wayside, but should be brought back - such as firetail for redstart.One thing is sure, the same group that brought the Mew gull debacle will likely not handle these re-names very well either. Probably will be a good market for a browser extension to fix whatever dumb names come out next…Dan ZmolekLongmont--On Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 7:31:35 AM UTC-6 Stacie West wrote:Where is the idea that changing some bird names means that conserving birds and their habitats coming from?An ad hoc committee was formed. It didn't take over the rest of the work of the AOS, other birding organizations, and a growing number of birders in the US and world. Perhaps this movement to consider the names and legacies of these early ornithologists will lead to efforts to not erase but continue to educate and repair.Since a few commenters shared: I'm 41 and began birding just over 3 years ago, and I'm delighted to hopefully have so much life left to continue to enjoy it and advocate for birds and their habitats. Birding has continued to evolve and advance how I approach my profession as an urban planner, and I'm grateful. With the zeal of a newcomer, I've also enjoyed welcoming others into the joy of birding.How wonderful that, from time to time, we can evaluate things like names and their meaning or impacts, consider additional information or perspectives, and learn from different ways of looking at the world. I suppose being a newbie makes it easier to accept change, but I also enjoyed my first experience birding in another country this year and learning about common names in other languages. What a delight to be able to tickle our neurons with expansive and inclusive thinking.Happy birding,Stacie WestDenverOn Sat, Nov 4, 2023 at 12:25 AM SeEttaM <see...@gmail.com> wrote:This amounts to nothing more than an attempt to 'white-wash' ornithology---to make it look like this field didn't revere those considered heroes during earlier historical periods who are now considered evil. 🤔 Future generations will look back on this and sigh. We can't erase the historical reality, slavery and Indian Wars and other bad stuff happened with birds named after some of the participants. And some birders and ornithologists thought that sweeping those names under a rug in 2023 was a higher priority than conserving birds and their habitats. Geeze🫣🫣🫣🫣SeEtta MossCanon City--On Thu, Nov 2, 2023, 3:28 PM Robert Righter <rori...@earthlink.net> wrote:Hi:--I would hope the American Ornithological Union would pause before changing common names of birds that are named after historic ornithologists as that could be divisive . Currently we are living in a period of time where accusations of racism are rampant and consequently we are currently judging past historic figures based on our current definition of how racist they may have been. This is how history becomes distorted and historic individuals unfortunately become misjudged. Let's wait a decade or so and revisit the topic again when hopefully our lenses are clearer, less tainted. Why are we in such the rush to change the common names of birds that have been established for centuries. We all need to take a deep breath or two and wait to see what transpires.
Bob Righter
Denver, CO
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