Tim
I think it is an admirable suggestion, but
how do you think we could get all birders to adopt the same common name. Just
think of the common names in use at the moment, such as Magpie Lark, Murray
Magpie, PeeWee for the same bird. Not everyone subscribes to Birding-aus or
reads Wingspan. Even if you could get a proposed set of names “out there”
there would likely be a fairly large degree of argument, disagreement,
alternatives for names that are proposed. I like Blackface for the BFCS, but
also for the Masked Woodswallow. And Rainbow could be great for Rainbow
Lorikeet, but also for Rainbow Bee-eater and even for Eastern
Rosella!
I still think it’s a good idea, to
simplify names and get “Joe/Jill public” to relate to birds more
easily, but how practical??
From:
[ On Behalf Of Tim Low
Sent: Thursday, 30 June 2005 12:23
PM
To:
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Blackface
Many members of Birding-Aus also read Wingspan, and would have seen my article
in the latest issue proposing that birders adopt abbreviated common name for
birds. Most Australians are disconnected from nature, and I strongly suspect
that ponderous common names are part of the problem. ‘Black-faced
cuckoo-shrike’ is an example of a long, dull and ultimately meaningless
name for a wonderful bird that everyone sees but most people don’t know,
partly because its name is so complicated and technical-sounding. Every
Australian does know kookaburras, emus and magpies, and they also could know
the black-faced cuckoo-shrike if only it had a one-word name rather a tongue-twisting
turnoff. Attempts to change common names always create controversy, so I am not
proposing any formal change. What I am suggesting instead is that names of
common birds be abbreviated in everyday use. ‘Blackface’ is ideal
shorthand for this bird (it goes well with ‘silvereye’), and this
name could be used in everyday conversation, for example when talking to
neighbours and children and people in the local park. Birding immediately
sounds more exciting and accessible if we are heard talking about rainbows,
emeralds and yellowfaces. Birders already talk like this among themselves,
mentioning red-rumps and gang gangs, for example. I am suggesting that the full
names still be used in books and reports, but that abbreviated names be used in
less formal situations. What do birders think of this suggestion?
Tim Low
