[Tweeters] List of birds by common name - Wikipedia; and My “Common” Concern

[Louise]

I can understand the theory, but then why is it not applied consistently?
The east coast still has a winter wren, when we got a Pacific wren.

Louise Rutter
Kirkland

On Tue, Jan 9, 2024 at 11:19 AM Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson at comcast.net>
wrote:


> Dan, at least that’s an easy one to answer. Rufous-sided was forever lost

> from towhee when the species was divided into Eastern and Spotted Towhees.

> One of the protocols of splitting species was (and I guess still is) not

> leaving the previous name with either of the two newly recognized species,

> entirely to avoid confusion.

>

> Blue-headed, Cassin’s and Plumbeous Vireos were the result of splitting of

> Solitary Vireo, just for another example. Sage Sparrow was split into

> Sagebrush and Bell’s Sparrows, Plain Titmouse split into Oak and Juniper

> Titmice. Etc.

>

> Dennis Paulson

> Seattle

>

> P.S. I still call them Mew Gulls, knowing all the while that I’m bringing

> shame on myself and my family.

>

> > On Jan 9, 2024, at 2:44 AM, Dan Reiff <dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com> wrote:

> >

> > It’s Wikipedia, but interesting.

> >

> > My hope is there was some person named “Common” so that some of my

> favorite, great birds, including, Common Poorwill, Common Nighthawk, Common

> Raven, Common Eider and Common Loon will finally be renamed with the

> respect they deserve.

> > Also, I have never understood why the naming committee changed the name

> Rufous-sided Towhee to Spotted Towhee.

> > It was such a great name, and descriptive, and fun to say!

> > Who are these people that name bird species?

> >

> > While filming the Red Fox Sparrow at Ed N’s great backyard a few months

> ago, I was introduced to his neighbor. As we waited for the bird to arrive

> we discussed bird names that had changed.

> >

> > “I have never gotten over the name change from Rufous-sided Towhee” I

> said.

> > “I still call them Rufous-sided Towhees” she said.

> >

> > I was refreshingly surprised by her response!

> >

> > Best regards and Happy New Year to the Tweets community!

> >

> > Dan Reiff

> > Mercer Island

> >

> > Article listing all common bird names:

> >

> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_by_common_name

> >

> > Sent from my iPhone

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