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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>
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>
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>
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