News flash: that's how taxonomy and nomenclature work.
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New edition of Fågelguiden (Collins Bird Guide). (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter nkbj
- Start date
James Jobling
Well-known member
I had noticed that some of the texts appear unidiomatic, as if strictly translated from Swedish, and was disappointed to see Loon still used in preference to Diver. Since loon is a term of reproach or mild abuse, I’m surprised some hand-wringer hasn’t taken offence.
I am taking much more offence by the fact that Bearded Vulture still runs under the name Lammergeier, a name that originally helped to drive the species to extinction im much of Europe.
As a stopgap measure, I marked my 3rd edition with three conspicuous yellow dots. But that is definitely not my preferred way of dealing with a new book. But then, discarding the older book is not what I plan to do either.
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WRL
Well-known member
Weird. In the (still current, second) German edition "Lämmergeier" it is not even mentioned. It is named "Bartgeier" (Bearded Vulture). Same designation in Lars Gejl's book on raptors (second German edition).
James Jobling
Well-known member
Swissboy, you too have obviously received your copy of the splendid “The Bird Name Book”, by Susan Myers (Princeton 2022) and read the ‘Lammergeier’ article on p. 195 — if the bureaucrats are against Lammergeier, I am for it. Lammergeier, in the spelling Lammergeyer, was first used as an English word in 1817 (SOED, 1950, I, p. 1101). The days when Lammergeiers carted off sheep, goats, infants and their little dogs, thankfully are long gone. But this reputation amongst the uneducated and superstitious rural populations of central Europe obviously did not endear the bird to shepherds and stockmen. The same could be said of any raptor whose habits, real or imagined, collided with a burgeoning human population. Should we spurn Hen Harrier or Goshawk? Nevertheless, I like the unique name Lammergeier; I doubt if more than 40% of British birdwatchers know the origin of the name, and the rest don’t care – provided they can add it to their life-lists.
May I wish you and all readers on BirdForum a very Merry Christmas.
James
May I wish you and all readers on BirdForum a very Merry Christmas.
James
I don't need that book to know what I am writing about. Of course, the name was originally also the common German name. But in that language, efforts have long been successful to abandon the name. As the species had been wiped out in all of the areas where German is commonly spoken, there was not much pressure of maintaining the old name, once it had become common knowledge that young sheep are not endangered by this bird. However, with the successful reintroductions in much of the former European range, it is important not to start spreading the old "rumor" again.
Jos Stratford
Eastern Exile
The name did not drive the bird to extinction, it was those folk that persecuted it. Given their persuasion, they would likely have done the same regardless of name.
Personally I dislike the name 'Bearded Vulture' ... always a Lammergeier in my book.
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James Jobling
Well-known member
Jos, I agree. As I indicated above #126 , changing the name of the Hen Harrier will not stop the gamekeepers shooting and trapping them on their grouse moors.
WRL
Well-known member
At least one recent international reference book does not name it Lammergeier at all: European Breeding Bird Atlas 2, first edition, November 2020 (p 439, and indexes).
Mysticete
Well-known member
To be fair, I have been doing a fair bit of research lately on bird taxonomy as it relates to the ABA area, and it seems very likely that Taiga and Tundra Bean goose SHOULD be lumped, with Middendorf's (spelling) perhaps being split off instead. Morphological variation seems minor and inconsistent between the two forms, and there is extensive gene flow.
bonxie birder
Stirring the pot since 1965
Don’t judge a book by its coverFinally some inside peeks to the book (though in Swedish). Bluethroats look simply stunning, which once again fuels my disappointment at the Barn Swallow cover of the English version.
Collins Bird Guide 3rd Edition
The ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts – now in its third edition.www.veldshop.nl
Nevertheless, it's a stupid idea to use this cover.
John Cantelo
Well-known member
It's not the Swallow, it's the otherwise virtually identical appearance. You need to look very closely to check you have the newest edition . Particularly so when it is in a row of books like in my second picture in post #124. The yellow dots are my way to make it clear right away at a distance.
So that's a Simpson's Vulture then. Can we get a comparison with the original, maybe?
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Another argument against 'authors taxonomy', they should just choose one and avoid the mishmash which results in them imposing their own judgements.
Also, 'North African Long-legged Buzzard reassigned to Common Buzzard '- Only the race cirtensis
magornitho.org
Also, 'North African Long-legged Buzzard reassigned to Common Buzzard '- Only the race cirtensis
North African Buzzard is not a Long-legged but an allospecies of Common Buzzard - MaghrebOrnitho
The ‘Atlas Long-legged Buzzard’ is actually an allospecies of the Common Buzzard superspecies. We suggest naming it ‘North African Buzzard’.
magornitho.org
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dantheman
Bah humbug
Don't have a sheep, man?
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