America. New Bird Names. Ornithologists want to right the wrongs of the past

According to reports, the campaign to change the names of the birds will start early next year American Ornithological Society – will focus primarily on about 80 species found in Canada and the United States.

– NSome bird names are associated with the past, in which there was exclusion (some social groups – Ed.) and it still hurts today.. “We want to enable a more inclusive and inspiring scientific process that draws attention to the characteristics and beauty of birds,” said Colin Handel, president of the Society.

Bird names evoke emotions. One of them commemorates the defender of slavery

As the president of the Ornithological Society added, “Everyone who loves birds and cares about their fate can read and enjoy them freely.” – And birds need our help more than ever – he added.

See: America. Almost a thousand birds crashed into a single building

The American Ornithological Society said its members have long struggled with historical and contemporary practices that lead to the exclusion of people of color.

Naming the birds is also a problem. Prairie spruce is given as an example (Thick Longspur). In 2020, the community changed its name This bird is found in the central states of America.

Before The bird was called McGowan’s FirebirdThis sparked controversy. The officer who collected the birds was John B. McGowan This led to the description of the breed, but when the Civil War broke out in America He sided with the Confederacy, which protected slavery.

New Bird Names. They are intended to encourage Americans to enjoy birds

Now Society generally prefers to move away from naming birds by surnames. Wilson’s Warbler and Audubon’s Shearwater, named after explorer Alexander Wilson, will be renamed. The second bird was named after explorer John James Audubon, who was also a slave owner.

“A much less controversial approach is to name birds by origin and area of ​​occurrence,” Emily Williams, an ornithologist at Georgetown University, told the AP.

The American Ornithological Society has pointed this out The name change is intended to encourage more people to watch and protect the birds, including minorities. is rated as Bird populations in North America have declined over the past 50 years 2.9 billion birds, or a quarter.

Source: American Ornithological Society, Associated Press

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