birdsoup

In the scientific world the person who first discovers a new species (animal, insect, plant, bird, etc.) gets to name it.   If you discovered a new bird what would you call it?  Choosing the right name is not always obvious.  Ask any new parent-to-be. 

 You might look to see how other scientists went about selecting a name for a new species.   If you look at all the existing names you’ll notice that there is no one way.  Names vary greatly.  But it seem that four popular approaches to selecting a new name.

 The first approach is to name you new species in honor of a person.   That person might be a notable scientist (probably an ornithologist), or a famous person, or the wealthy patron who financed your trek into unknown territories, or maybe after your favorite cousin.  Thus you may find names such as Audubon Warbler, Lincoln Sparrow, Bairds Sparrow, or Lucy Warbler.

 A large number of birds are named after geographic areas, often the area where the bird was first seen or is very abundant.   Hence names, such as Connecticut Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Northwest Crow, Baltimore Oriole, Louisiana Waterthrush, etc.

 Another group of birds are named for their favorite habitat:  Seaside Sparrow, Meadow Lark, Prairie Warbler, Mountain Bluebird, Orchard Oriole, Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Pine Siskin, Marsh Wren.

 Yet another popular way to name a new species is to name for it prominent colors or features:  Red-winged Blackbird, Bluebird, Yellow Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Brown-headed Cowbird, Rufus-sided Towhee, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs.

 Any of these naming conventions can be used.  After all, you discovered this new species and therefore you have the right to call it whatever you want.  

 But each of these naming conventions has caused some confusion for you fellow birders.  Next time we will discuss how some names do not make it easy for others to identify your bird.