I do scientific editing for international journals, and this is what my
editorial manual says (you can't get much more definitive than this):



Scientific Style and Format. The Council of Biology Editors Manual for
Authors, Editors, and Publishers. 6th Edition. Cambridge University Press.
1994.



p. 173, Section 9-6. Scientific Uses of Capitalization.



(5) The complete vernacular or common name of a species of bird in
accordance with the checklist of the American Ornithological Union.



It's interesting to note that the general rule for other common names of
species (e.g., mammals, fish, plants) is not to capitalize. The only other
biological exception is:



(6) The common name of an insect in accordance with the list approved by the
Entomological Society of America.



So you can tell your editor that as far as the scientific journals are
concerned, and the editorial reference materials used by scientific editors,
the AOU is the definitive source of the rules of capitalization for birds.



Teresa Michelsen

Olympia WA



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Rose, Penny
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:23 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Capitalization of Bird Names



I've run into a bit of a quandary with the editor of the Discovery Park
newsletter. I have always followed the rule that common names of birds
should be capitalized. He, of course, is not in agreement of this practice
and asked me to cite my sources. At this juncture I am not a reliable
source, and the ABA and AOU are out as he is looking at this strictly from a
English, grammar, or editorial perspective. Does anyone have a suggestion
or take on this situation? Thanks





Penny Rose

Public Education Program Specialist

Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center

3801 West Government Way

Seattle, WA 98199

penny.rose at seattle.gov



(206) 386 - 4250



"Creating community through people, parks and programs."



www.seattle.gov/parks