One of the reasons/problems is, that some authorities have 'split' the whole
flava-complex into many species (not only flava and tschutschensis)!
Nikolas
----------------
Nikolas Haass
Sydney, NSW
----- Original Message ----
From: Carl Clifford <>
To: birding-aus Aus <>
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 2:03:51 PM
Subject: Blue-headed Wagtail
Dear All,
Following the thread on Yellow Wagtail on B-A, I have been doing a bit
of reading-up on the net about Moticilla Spp. I was rather amazed to
find on Wikipedia, the article on M. flava is headed as Blue-headed
Wagtail !! Where has this common name come from? I have looked at the
checklists for the ABA, AOU, BOU, OBC, checked Birdlife
International's list and the IOC recommended English name; no sign of
M. flava being called Blue-headed Wagtail. I have found references
amongst my books and on the net to the sub-species Motacilla flava
flava being given the common name of Blue-headed Wagtail, but I have
not been able to find a valid reason for referring to Motacilla flava
as Blue-headed Wagtail. How has the common name for a sub-sp been
given to a species of as a whole?
Should sub-species be given separate common names? I feel that there
are too many floating around as it is. What is wrong with calling, for
example, Motacilla flava flava Yellow Wagtail flava subspecies?
I would be interested in hearing other peoples thoughts on this.
Should the Wikipedia entry be cleaned up before BHW becomes common
currency and churns the muddy waters of common names even further.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
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