The International Ornithological Congress (IOC), which is made up of
members from some 50 countries, has drawn up a list of "Recommended
English Names" for the worlds birds and it is available as hard copy,
"Birds of the World; Recommended English Names: Ed. Frank Gill &
Minturn Wright, pub. Princeton University Press and online at: http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
The on-line version is regularly up-dated. The IOC English names
list has come about after much debate and consensus by the members of
the congress, who repres
The IOC is made up of some 200 of the worlds most eminent
Ornithologists, the Australian representatives to the IOC are; Walter
Boles, William Buttemer and Michael Clarke and Australia is also
represented by Senior Members, Prof. Jiro Kikkawa, Dr. Ian Rowley and
Dr. Richard Schodde.
I admit that many English common names are confusing and
inappropriate, but as standardised names, everyone knows what they
are. Some though, do have a certain charm (the thought of seeing a
Festive Amazon (Amazona festiva), particularly if accompanied by a
pair of Parus major, makes me weak at the knees). There is a case for
many changes, so as to simplify and clarify common names, but it
should be done through the proper channels and with international
agreement. You can't just run off plucking names out of the air and
start using them willy-nilly. The state of English nomenclature is
confused enough as it is, no need to add to the confusion. If there
enough support for changing a common name, have it put up to the IOC
by one or more of our local representatives.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
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www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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