#232: What makes a good bird name?

An interesting piece on bird-naming (and the field of ethno-ornithology.

This was written by Andrew Gosler, a Professor at the University of Oxford.

It explores the decision by the American Ornithological Society, which recently announced it would replace all bird species named after people in North America. This is part of the idea of decolonising nature. The article talks about the process by which birds gain their name, and some of the other local vernacular variations which they also acquire. 

Very few British bird species are actually named after people.

#184: Work to do here...

One of the aspects of the GCSE Natural History is that it must ensure that the people who are referenced in the specification are suitably diverse.

This Guardian piece shows the efforts that still need to be made to ensure representation. 

We have a number of young naturalists who should certainly be on a suggested list of people to ensure appropriate diversity.

The Historic England blog makes an interesting read as well.

The British Ecological Society has also provided a useful blog and podcast.

British Ecological Society Journals · Black History Month 2023: Yoseph Araya on Nature, Role Models and Academia