A few months ago In a CBN article and a related COG talk I outlined the state of play with respect to English bird names, drawing on some experience of the BirdLife Australia English Names Committee. As foreshadowed,
the Christidis committee has now completed its work on a unified taxonomy. The recommended taxonomy is subject to continuing review by an expert committee. The matter of unifying English names is yet to be addressed. The IOC English name is offered in the
meantime, while leaving open the possibility of additional (‘alternative’) English names based on national or regional preferences (including on spelling).
In recent years, two related developments have become apparent. First, BirdLife Australia (BLA) has largely lost interest in promoting a uniform approach - except for the occasional cultural/political issue, like eliminating
some person-based names (eg Albert’s Lyrebird). Some Australian jurisdictions have deliberately departed from the BLA names. Secondly, eBird has emerged as a dominant influence with respect to the names people use. Many find it easiest to adopt and use
the name eBird uses in its English (Australia) version. That name generally follows the BLA name but there are some significant exceptions. It will be a matter for Cornell Lab (eBird managers) whether they will continue to offer an English (Australia) name
when there is a recommended international name available.
So far as I know, BLA is yet to take a decision on the future of its English names in light of the new international names and the decision to establish an international English Names Committee. Other Australian bird
societies, including COG, will need to make their own decisions. I would expect Queensland, for example, to continue to follow the IOC/IOU/international name.
The eBird decision on English (Australia) names might depend on what BLA decides to do. All rather Australian-Gull-and-egg, I’m afraid.
Lots available online if you’re interested.
https://ebird.org/news/avilist-a-unified-global-checklist-of-the-worlds-birds-is-now-available
https://www.avilist.org/checklist/components-of-the-avilist-checklist/
