A controversy is brewing in the world of ornithology and birdwatching, with the American Ornithological Society's proposal to rename birds with problematic eponyms, as many of these names celebrate colonizers and white supremacists. While many young birders support the decision, some old-timers oppose it. The Scott's Oriole and the Audubon's Shearwater have given their verdict. What's yours?
Aotearoa New Zealand is working our way back to the original names for more and more things - birds, plants, places. I'm a bit lazy and still say New Zealand, but I really should say Aotearoa New Zealand, because although it's not official, more and more people use it.
We had an example this year where the town of Pākaraka had its name restored from Maxwelltown. Now probably only a half dozen Pākēhā New Zealanders would have had a clue who Maxwell was. I didn't. However, to the local Māori, they remembered him as the man who attacked a group of unarmed Māori children in 1868, killing two. That was only one of many injustices they faced, so they name always bothered them.
I'd have thought that the ideal situation for these birds might have been to restore their original, i.e. indigenous names, but that doesn't seem to be up for discussion.
I agree with you , Melanie. Thanks for sharing these cases from New Zealand! Some silimar efforts have been taken to name birds using local and indigenous terminology, some examples being the newly described Chilappans and Sholakilis from the Western Ghats.
Tūī, korimako, tīeke, kōkako, hihi, titipounamu and toutouwai spent a while being known as parsonbird, bellbird, saddleback, blue-wattled crow, stitchbird, rifleman and New Zealand robin. Admittedly titipounamu is a bit of mouthful, especially as it's the smallest New Zealand bird, but who would want to call the bird with the most exquisite song in the forest the 'blue-wattled crow'? It's not even related to crows.
What's in a name? Literally no one remembers who the real guys were, or what they did. I would have thought of Robert Falcon Scott... the explorer! Not sure about Lady Amherst's antecedents (Jeffrey's 2nd wife) but the name sort of sounds right when you see the pheasant. The REAL reason I might wince is that I have a bad enough memory and having to relearn names would be a real chore! But, I'd accept whatever the young ones decide.
Aotearoa New Zealand is working our way back to the original names for more and more things - birds, plants, places. I'm a bit lazy and still say New Zealand, but I really should say Aotearoa New Zealand, because although it's not official, more and more people use it.
We had an example this year where the town of Pākaraka had its name restored from Maxwelltown. Now probably only a half dozen Pākēhā New Zealanders would have had a clue who Maxwell was. I didn't. However, to the local Māori, they remembered him as the man who attacked a group of unarmed Māori children in 1868, killing two. That was only one of many injustices they faced, so they name always bothered them.
I'd have thought that the ideal situation for these birds might have been to restore their original, i.e. indigenous names, but that doesn't seem to be up for discussion.
I agree with you , Melanie. Thanks for sharing these cases from New Zealand! Some silimar efforts have been taken to name birds using local and indigenous terminology, some examples being the newly described Chilappans and Sholakilis from the Western Ghats.
Tūī, korimako, tīeke, kōkako, hihi, titipounamu and toutouwai spent a while being known as parsonbird, bellbird, saddleback, blue-wattled crow, stitchbird, rifleman and New Zealand robin. Admittedly titipounamu is a bit of mouthful, especially as it's the smallest New Zealand bird, but who would want to call the bird with the most exquisite song in the forest the 'blue-wattled crow'? It's not even related to crows.
What's in a name? Literally no one remembers who the real guys were, or what they did. I would have thought of Robert Falcon Scott... the explorer! Not sure about Lady Amherst's antecedents (Jeffrey's 2nd wife) but the name sort of sounds right when you see the pheasant. The REAL reason I might wince is that I have a bad enough memory and having to relearn names would be a real chore! But, I'd accept whatever the young ones decide.