Had a feeling it was probably a young 'un
Yeah, they're following a checklist set up by some American (IIRC) authors who unilaterally decided to re-name the species. As I understand it, the original English name of the species is Black Vulture.Thanks, Nutcracker, but I'm a little confused now, since Wikipedia refers to Aegypius monachus as Cinereous vulture.
Here's the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinereous_vulture
The pics show Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius monachus. They are black, not cinereous (ash-coloured, = pale whitish grey), so can't properly be called "cinereous vulture" :t:
Thanks, Nutcracker, but I'm a little confused now, since Wikipedia refers to Aegypius monachus as Cinereous vulture.
Here's the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinereous_vulture
Well, if you want to go all technical, the principle of seniority still applies. Which of the two species was called "black vulture" first? I haven't found out yet, but I suspect it's Aegypius monachus.Of course, they are not black either; as the photo clearly shows, they are dark brown.
And I prefer the American name "zopilote" for the new world species.Your initial post is correct. Nutcracker is simply quibbling with the naming authorities because he prefers the older name "Black Vulture," which is better applied to the truly black new world vulture.
Well, if you want to go all technical, the principle of seniority still applies. Which of the two species was called "black vulture" first? I haven't found out yet, but I suspect it's Aegypius monachus.
And I prefer the American name "zopilote" for the new world species.
Also, official bird names aren't set in stone. They can and do change if inaccurate.
Of course, they are not black either; as the photo clearly shows, they are dark brown.
Your initial post is correct. Nutcracker is simply quibbling with the naming authorities because he prefers the older name "Black Vulture," which is better applied to the truly black new world vulture.
Can you not see the absurdity of the situation? It's like renaming Panthera leo to something like "fallow tiger" (or magenta tiger, in keeping with the colour confusion theme) because of the hypothetical danger of confusing it with the Mountain Lion or the Marsupial Lion otherwise. The large vultures of Eurasia were the original template for the concept (and term) of "vulture", since before the English language was even a thing.Principle of seniority applies to scientific names, not common names.
I thought you might say something like that. It's missing the point, though. You can't "fix" inaccuracy with an even bigger inaccuracy.Agree with your last comment--official bird names such as "black vulture" for the eurasian bird is inaccurate, and was due for a change.
Of course, they are not black either; as the photo clearly shows, they are dark brown.
Your initial post is correct. Nutcracker is simply quibbling with the naming authorities because he prefers the older name "Black Vulture," which is better applied to the truly black new world vulture.