It’s an enormous second in ornithology. On November 1, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) introduced the historic determination to change the English names of birds presently named after an individual (“eponymous” chook names), and to interact the general public in choosing the brand new names.
The plan is to make use of a phased method, beginning with a pilot train after which specializing in 70 to 80 species within the U.S. and Canada first. The AOS presently maintains authoritative chook checklists for North, Central, and South America. Past the U.S. and Canada inside this purview, the AOS will work with ornithological societies in these areas, in methods which are aligned with their needs. There are 152 species with eponymous names presently on the checklist of birds decided by the AOS North American Classification Committee and 111 decided by the South American Classification Committee, so about 5.5% of the species within the area.
AOS’s prime cause for the adjustments is to attempt to make birds and birdwatching open and welcoming to as many individuals as doable. The rationale is threefold: some chook names are deemed offensive or exclusionary due to the actions of the folks they’re named after; it’s going to be extraordinarily troublesome to attain consensus on precisely which individual ought to or shouldn’t have a chook named after them; so it’s higher to maneuver away from eponymous names altogether. The AOS additionally factors out that this train offers an opportunity to provide birds names which are extra helpful in indicating how they give the impression of being or sound, the place they dwell, or perhaps a attribute conduct.
I’m supportive of AOS’s determination and agree with that logic. I’m additionally happy to see the phased method, and notably the dedication to work with ornithological societies in Latin America and different areas outdoors the U.S. and Canada to grasp easy methods to deal with adjustments to names in these areas. The identical discussions are taking place for different teams of organisms, so I’m proud the birdwatching group is courageous sufficient to be the primary to tackle the problem.
On the identical time, I’m keenly conscious that folks really feel a powerful attachment to sure species names. I think I’ll pine slightly for Blackburnian Warbler—sure, it’s eponymous!—though I can simply see the appeal of one thing like Fireplace-throated Warbler. The choice to alter eponymous chook names can really feel culturally or politically charged, as properly, which some folks will possible see as a distraction, particularly at a time of such conservation want. Furthermore, lots of the species additionally happen in different geographic areas, the place it’s not but clear how renaming shall be perceived. It’s going to be vital to hearken to completely different views, and respect the views of fellow birdwatchers, even after we don’t agree with one another.
From the attitude of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, we’re wanting ahead to getting concerned in what seems to be set to be an enormous, thrilling marketing campaign to pick out the brand new names for U.S. and Canadian species. I’m hoping we’ll find yourself with just a few names as evocative because the Shining Sunbeam, a shocking hummingbird of the Andes. As soon as they’ve been decided, we plan to make use of the brand new names in American English-language variations of our platforms like Merlin, eBird, All About Birds, and Birds of the World. We already help about 100 units of widespread names , and we replace our taxonomy annually, so we’re properly positioned to help the adjustments. To accommodate worldwide variations, we are able to proceed to defer to regional naming authorities on which widespread names to make use of. We’re additionally eager about methods to assist folks with the adjustments as they roll out, as a result of though we’re all used to occasional adjustments in just a few chook names, that is an unprecedented variety of species.
I strongly imagine we must always use this as a possibility to get much more folks occupied with birds, and to display that birdwatchers are critical about breaking down limitations. In constructing a motion for nature, we’d like the largest doable tent when it comes to the folks concerned. Birds are distinctive of their means to deliver folks collectively. Let’s be daring and embrace this chance to make the tent even larger.