Even the birdwatching community feels the heat of division in a world where political tensions run high. The American Ornithological Society has sparked a contentious debate with its proposal to rename dozens of beloved bird species, including the Steller’s Jay and Bachman’s Sparrow, to remove names that honor historical figures associated with racism and colonialism.
The initiative aims to rename over a hundred North and South American birds, eliminating eponymous names and alleviating the burden of examining the morality of every historical figure linked to a bird’s common name. While this might seem like a noble cause, the plan has divided many birdwatchers and ornithologists.
Some notable birds to be renamed include:
- Cooper’s Hawk: the most well-known bird named after a person in the United States. The bird is named after William Cooper, a naturalist in the early 19th century.
- McCown’s Longspur: Named after Confederate Army general John McCown.
- Scott’s Oriole: Named after Union general Winfield Scott.
- Anna’s Hummingbird: Named after a 19th-century French princess and duchess.
- Blackburnian Warbler: Named after 18th-century English amateur botanist Anna Blackburne.
- Virginia’s Warbler: Named after the wife of the man who collected the first known specimen in New Mexico.
At the heart of this debate is the societal push for change in the wake of heightened awareness around social justice issues, particularly following significant events like the murder of George Floyd. This has led to a broader examination of historical legacies, including those found in the names of our feathered friends. The society’s decision to rename McCown’s Longspur to Thick-billed Longspur exemplifies this shift, but it has also raised questions about the implications of renaming all eponymous birds.
Unprecedented Dialogue Among Birdwatchers
As the society prepares for its annual meeting in Colorado, where birdwatchers will gather to discuss this polarizing topic, opinions are varied. Some, like renowned bird author Kenn Kaufman, recognize the potential for an unprecedented dialogue within the birding community. He tells NPR, “Something at this scale, I don’t think has ever happened before. The decision was put out there, and there was a very strong reaction in some quarters, so the initial decision might wind up being altered.”
While proponents of the renaming initiative argue for a progressive approach to remove names with problematic legacies, critics caution against a blanket removal of historical names, emphasizing the importance of context and the rich history embedded in many of these titles. Steven Beissinger, professor emeritus with the University of California, Berkeley, who helped organize the resolution, advocates for a more nuanced, case-by-case evaluation, highlighting that names like Henslow’s Sparrow honor figures like John Stevens Henslow, a committed abolitionist and a mentor to Charles Darwin.
Canceling Bird Heroes
As the debate unfolds, the society has faced pushback from thousands of birders who have signed petitions urging a more considerate approach. Many argue that while offensive names should undoubtedly be reconsidered, removing all eponymous names risks erasing important historical contributions, particularly from Latin American ornithologists, whose own heroes are honored in bird names.
With so much at stake, the American Ornithological Society is now tasked with navigating this complex landscape. As they prepare to implement a pilot project to rename a select few birds, the outcome of this initiative could set a precedent for how we honor our history—both good and bad—within the natural world.
In a time when division seems to permeate every aspect of life, birdwatchers now find themselves at the crossroads of tradition and progress, grappling with the question: should we preserve the names of our cherished birds or rename them for a more inclusive future? Stay tuned. Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: the conversation about bird names is far from over.
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