RE: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

have an inflated value of myself) Jim Moss From: cobirds@googlegroups.com On Behalf Of Eric DeFonso Sent: Friday, November 3, 2023 12:59 PM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names Sunrise Phoebe - EXCELLENT! I think a lot of inspiration can come

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Thanks Diana for your clarity and wisdom. Reason, common sense, and a focus on what's best for most (humans birds and the future of the whole planetary biosphere) should always be our compass and remain in the forefront. Marty Wolf NW CO Spgs On Sat, Nov 4, 2023 at 4:57 PM Diana Beatty wrote:

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Thank you, Diana Beatty. Finally my thoughts exactly expressed on this list, and expressed beautifully.How this discussion ever became either names OR conservation is puzzling indeed. They are not mutually exclusive goals.I believe in both respect and conservation. And personally, since learning

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Well said, and I couldn't agree more. I've been thinking over the last few days how the renaming effort doesn't have to be the end of the discussion on righting historic wrongs or highlighting efforts to conserve and celebrate birds among communities whose voices were historically left out, and

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

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

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

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

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

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

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

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. 樂 Future generations will look back on this and sigh. We can't erase the historical

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

I love this! Very well put!Sent from my iPhoneOn Nov 3, 2023, at 11:07 AM, Mark Minner-lee wrote:It’s been forever since I’ve seen such a passionate conversation about a birding topic so I’ll throw my two cents in.1.  Call the birds whatever you want, my priority in life is to enjoy them and

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

80% of the world’s biodiversity is under the management of indigenous people. They are responsible for what’s left. If we want to conserve more birds and bird habitat, building relationships and collaborations with indigenous communities is essential. I don’t see collaborations happening with

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

I’m all for names that relate to the birds, not the people who “discovered” them. My only suggestion for a new name:Stellar’s Jay should be called the Stellar Jay, because they are. Van RuddLouisville, COSent from my iPhoneOn Nov 2, 2023, at 23:04, Megan Miller wrote:I am a freshly minted 31

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

How did American ornithology wind up with a committee that has the oxymoronic task of giving birds "official" common names, anyway? Everything biological already has a "universal" scientific name. Charlie Paterson Colorado Springs On Fri, Nov 3, 2023 at 11:11 AM Susan Rosine wrote: > WELL PUT!

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

I agree that time will likely reveal this historical rewrite to be a short lived (from a historical perspective) phenomenon. The practice of excising notable individuals from the historic record goes way back to ancient Egypt where Hatshepsut and

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Mark’s comments are well stated. What does it matter the names when over 1000 birds die in one night crashing into buildings. Is not more important to focus on both protecting the birds and the environment than to be a part of rewriting history to cover a past that makes some people feel

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Sunrise Phoebe - EXCELLENT! I think a lot of inspiration can come from seeing the kinds of English names given to hummingbirds in the neotropics. These names are a delight and if nothing else add greatly to the fun involved in searching them out and of course in finding them. I have perceived the

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

WELL PUT! BRAVO!! Susan On Fri, Nov 3, 2023, 11:07 AM Mark Minner-lee wrote: > It’s been forever since I’ve seen such a passionate conversation about a > birding topic so I’ll throw my two cents in. > > 1. Call the birds whatever you want, my priority in life is to enjoy them > and

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

It’s been forever since I’ve seen such a passionate conversation about a birding topic so I’ll throw my two cents in.1.  Call the birds whatever you want, my priority in life is to enjoy them and advocate for their continued existence.  The name in my humble opinion the name has only been a marker

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

I would vote for Marsh Hawk, Sunrise Phoebe and Stellar Jay! I would also like Rufous-sided Towhee back. The ones in the Pacific Northwest aren't very spotted, and have more rufous than ones in Colorado. Susan Rosine Brighton On Fri, Nov 3, 2023, 9:10 AM Peter Ruprecht wrote: > Megan's

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Megan's suggestion for a wonderfully lyrical new name for our "dryland phoebe" delights me. A descriptive name is an improvement over an eponym, but a descriptive name that poetically celebrates the essence of the bird is even better. "Thick-billed" certainly beats "McCown's", but does it really

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Van, I love your new name as much as I love Stellar's Jays! Megan, Sunrise or Sunset would both be nice names! Eric, Since Townsend is a relative on mine, how about Town's End Warbler and Town's End Solitaire? After all, neither bird likes big cities  And I thought it was hilarious what McCown

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

So then, take men off our coins and paper money who owned slaves and/or were cruel to American Indians--even though that was (sadly) normal and typical behavior for the times they lived in. McCown had no slaves, but Washington and Jefferson did. Susan Rosine Brighton On Thu, Nov 2, 2023, 11:10 PM

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

I am a freshly minted 31 year old and I have been part of Colorados birding community for around 20 years. I grew up here, found my passion for birds and wildlife here, and built a career out of it. It was very difficult and now that I am here the path forward doesn’t feel any easier. We still

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

I've just turned 56 and have now been birding for 30 years, but I am excited about the prospect of some significant name-changes. I too have had the opportunity to get to know a lot of young birders, and they get it, which delights me. Personally, yes, I cringed once I realized who John McCown

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Serious question -- are there people who actually cringe? I have African and American Indian ancestors, and I've never cringed. I've also never looked up these men and read all about them. Just some dude named Wilson or Steller or McCown or Townsend. Oh wait, I am related to Townsend, so I do know

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

As an old guy lucky enough to go birding now and then with some 20-somethings…they are very passionate about this. They are the future. (I agree with Kenn Kaufman, however, the loss of an honorific such as Parker’s Antbird, would seem wrong. Besides, some of those families are so similar

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Let's face it -- a lot of bird names are stupid in general. They are not descriptive. So, don't just get rid of white men's names -- Junco - Spanish for reed. ? Mallard -- old French/English for Drake ? Wren -- who knows? Haha Loon -- they aren't crazy (haha) Waterthrushes are

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

It could be David Sibley just wants to sell more field guides with the new names.  Mel Goff Colorado Springs > On 11/02/2023 4:21 PM MDT T. Luke George wrote: > > > I don't think the definitions of how racist some of these ornithologists may > have been will change now that they have

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

why aren't we worried about renaming birds named for women's body parts? On Thu, Nov 2, 2023, 6:28 PM Evan Wilder wrote: > Robert, > > What if we instead consider this issue from the perspective of an > ever-evolving scientific community? We failed to acknowledge the > destructive effects of

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

Robert, What if we instead consider this issue from the perspective of an ever-evolving scientific community? We failed to acknowledge the destructive effects of colonialism and racism in the past, but we have a chance to improve upon that now. If we choose to “pause” our evolution now, when

Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

I don't think the definitions of how racist some of these ornithologists may have been will change now that they have exposed. Best to rip off the bandaid and move on. Below are Sibley's thoughts. “As I’ve learned more about eponymous bird names over the last year, it’s become clear that these

[cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names

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