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https://theconversation.com/prince-albert-had-nothing-to-do-with-the-lyrebird-bearing-his-name-should-our-birds-be-named-after-people-217792>
"Influential ornithologist John James Audubon’s historical ownership of slaves
has spurred a debate about bird names in the United States. As a result, the
American Ornithological Society will change not only birds’ common names
referring to him, but all 152 eponymous bird names in North America, regardless
of good or bad perceptions of their namesakes.
The cultural conversation has arrived in Australia where dozens of species are
named after people. Some Australian scientists and birdwatchers (including one
from the peak ornithological body Birdlife Australia) have proposed a review,
particularly of names with colonial associations.
One Australian species has already been renamed. Birdlife Australia now prefers
Pink Cockatoo to Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo as the common name.
Thomas Mitchell led a massacre of Aboriginal people in western New South Wales
in 1836, condemned for its senselessness even at the time. Birdlife Australia
provides a clear argument why the bird should not bear his name. The change has
sparked a conversation in online birding communities.
The Albert’s Lyrebird, the topic of my PhD research, also bears a name with
colonial overtones, though without the direct violent connotations of Mitchell.
Should it, and other Australian species named after people, be renamed? I’m not
sure, but I do know this reclusive rainforest bird has a fascinating and
surprisingly complex etymology."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
