On Sun, 4 Feb 1996, Burton Guttman wrote:

>
> Maureen Ellis asked for "the standardized correct use for the following
> terms in differentiating birds: Race, morph, phase, population,
> subspecies, variant, form." I'll reply to the whole gang, in case some
> people disagree with me.
>

[definitions snipped}

> _Phase_ is a term that was used to mean "morph," but I believe its use is
> being discouraged now. _Variant_ means, well, a variant: an albino, for
> instance, or an individual with some other aberrant morphology. _Form_
> could mean anything, and it's probably another term that should not be used.

Good definitions, Burt. I'll just add a historical note. I believe the
term morph replaced "phase" for red vs gray Screech Owls and other species
that exist in two sympatric but different forms, because of concern that
"phase" implied impermanence (as in "going through a phase"). Since red
morph Ruffed Grouse, to name another example, keep that coloration their
whole life, the use of "morph" was encouraged to make that clearer.


Chris Hill
Everett, WA
cehill at u.washington.edu