American Ornithological Society Decides Against Personalized Bird Naming

The American Ornithological Society, on a recent Wednesday, made the announcement that birds located in North America will henceforth not bear names of individuals. Starting from the upcoming year, the intent is to rename roughly 80 avian species indigenous to the territories of the United States and Canada.

Colleen Handel, the current president of the organization, articulated the significance of names, emphasizing that certain English bird nomenclatures connected to history remain divisive and detrimentally impactful even today. She believes that “Every individual with a passion for birds ought to have the privilege to observe and delve into their study without constraints.”

Instead of assessing each bird designated with a human’s name on an individual basis, the society has resolved to rename them universally.

Among the birds slated for renaming are species known as Wilson’s warbler and Wilson’s snipe, tributes to the naturalist from the 19th century, Alexander Wilson. Another notable mention is Audubon’s shearwater, christened in honor of John James Audubon, which will soon undergo a name change.

In a preceding move during 2020, the society had rebranded a bird formerly linked to Confederate Army general John P. McCown, renaming it the thick-billed longspur.

Emily Williams, an independent ornithologist stationed at Georgetown University, conveyed her enthusiasm regarding this recent development. Williams highlighted that the birdwatching sphere has witnessed intense debates concerning bird nomenclatures over the past few years. She advocates for “The practice of christening birds based on their habitats or physical traits as it is considerably uncontentious.”

Meanwhile, in the same vein, earlier this year, the National Audubon Society confirmed its decision to retain its current name. This choice was made despite several critiques and internal voices challenging the society to sever its ties with its namesake, John James Audubon, considering the historical fact that his family were slaveholders.

Susan Bell, the National Audubon Society’s Board of Directors’ chairperson, in a conversation with Audubon magazine in March, opined that “The name symbolizes much more than the contributions of an individual.” She further emphasized the necessity to confront the racially prejudiced history linked with John James Audubon.

The year 2020 witnessed a significant incident in New York’s Central Park that underscored the biases Black individuals frequently confront while partaking in outdoor activities. Christian Cooper, an African American birdwatcher, had a confrontation with a white woman, Amy Cooper, over adhering to local regulations concerning leashing dogs. The incident, which escalated to involve the police, served as an awakening for many.

In the aftermath, birdwatching enthusiasts orchestrated the inaugural Black Birders Week, aiming to amplify the presence of Black nature aficionados and researchers.

Furthermore, a collective titled “Bird Names for Birds” presented a petition to the ornithological society, pressing them to “strategize and execute modifications to potentially offensive bird nomenclatures.”

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More about fokus keyword: Ornithological Naming Reform

• American Ornithological Society’s Official Announcement
• History of Bird Naming in North America
• Profile: Alexander Wilson – The 19th Century Naturalist
• John James Audubon’s Legacy and Controversy
• The National Audubon Society’s Statement on Name Retention
• Details on the 2020 Central Park Birdwatching Incident
• Black Birders Week: Goals and Achievements
• Bird Names for Birds’ Petition