I think that Brolga sets a precedent for an indigenous name
that does not refer to the wider group [crane].
On 19/11/2009, at 9:43 PM, Greg & Val Clancy wrote:
Well my comments certainly have sparked up some discussion - great!!
I have received a number of responses to my post re. the name Satin
Stork, some direct to my personal email address so I will address
the main issues raised one by one.
One person asked 'how was the name arrived at?' - I made up the name
in an attempt to have a name that was truly appropriate for our bird
and one which would, hopefully, win over the die-hard 'Jabiru'
people. It seems that I have lost out with Tony!! The reference to
Satin is because the bird has a beautiful satin-like sheen over its
head and neck and on the black feathering of the wings and tail.
Including 'stork' in the name provides some information on what type
of bird it really is. "Jabiru' could be a plant, a lizard, a mammal
etc. As the Australian and New Guinean race was going to be split
from the Asian race as separate species a common name was needed. I
recommended 'Satin Stork' to the Birds Australia Common Names
Committee and it was accepted. Some concern about its acceptance
was expressed by members of the Research and Scientific Committee
however, not based on the suitability of the name, but on concerns
that the 'Jabiru' brigade would not accept it. It was also stated
that if it gained popular acceptance then it would be fully
supported. The predicted split did not happen in the 2008 edition
of Christidis and Boles as they wanted more genetic evidence but it
is very likely to happen in the future.
"Why not Satin-necked Stork?" - because one of the main arguments
of the 'Jabiru' people is that "Black-necked Stork' is too long and
clumsy. Satin-necked Stork would not address this criticism. In
addition it is not only the neck that is 'satin'.
"Why not an indigenous name?". I am very keen on indigenous name
for places as they usually only have one name. Uluru and Wollumbin
are great because they refer to only one place each. There are many
indigenous names for the Stork so how would the most appropriate
one be selected? It is far better to document the indigenous names
separately from the common name. In that way all local names are
given equal prominence. It would be different if in the early
European history of this continent an indigenous name was applied
and it became commonly used, such as with the Galah. Instead early
settlers applied a South American indigenous name to our stork.
Greg Clancy
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