[TN-Bird] Re: scientific names (long, and possibly boring) :-)
- From: Raincrow <raincrow@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: TNbird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2003 07:44:02 -0400
I agree that rigorous taxonomical terminology is indispensable for data
scaffolding/modeling and as a tool for accurate and efficient
communication when "engaging in ornithology." However, when I'm just
plain "birding," Yellowlegs has oh so much more history, poetry, and
SWING than Tringa (and Sir Duke had the best last words to say about
that).
And, as a molecular biologist, I suffer from my own form of snobdom:
Forget mere functional taxonomy, you lumpers and splitters, you. SHOW ME
THE DNA HYBRIDIZATION STUDIES, SHOW ME THE GENOME SEQUENCING!! There's
the REAL story! ;D
Liz Singley
Kingston TN
-----Original Message-----
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Charlie
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 10:31 PM
To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [TN-Bird] scientific names (long, and possibly boring) :-)
Hi folks,
If the primary reason not to use scientific names is to prevent being
seen as pretentious, and therefore lose the interest of new folks,
then we have many other problems.
If I go out with a new birder, not only do I use common names, but I
DON"T go looking for sparrows, or fall warblers, or peeps. That is
also "ostentatios" if by ostentatious, you mean "showing your
knowledge."
I think it is important for any serious birder to learn at least some
taxonomy. I don't think it's important for us to, on a regular
basis, refer to birds (or most other organisms) by Genus and species,
when we are with our peers in the field. But in papers it is vital.
And when dealing with knowledgeable people from afar, it is
important.
Think back to the time when you FIRST identified a bird to it's
family, THEN to species. Didn't that help a lot? To be able to say
"it was a warbler" was a big step, instead of "it was a small bird
high in the tree." It helps you identify unknown species when you
know some taxonomy. Try this sometime. Memorize some field mark
that is distinct for a genus, then try to see that field mark as
often as possible. How many Dendroica warblers have white in the
outer tail? How many warblers of other genera do? Learn that, and
you can really whittle down the possibilities of a mystery bird when
you don't see the supercilium or eyering, right?
Those who don't like scientific names, but have been birding a while,
surely know what a "yellowlegs" is. Why is that so much harder than
"Tringa?"
A few years ago Townsend, TN (Blount County) gained momentary fame in
east Tennessee when a small field was found to have a great
assortment of sparrows. One day I happened to see a bird I could NOT
identify to species. However I told another birder, David Trently,
that I had seen an Ammodramus. It is EASY to id one of those guys to
genus - if you remember a few fairly easily seen field marks, ANYone
can call it to genus. But they are skulkers. I just didn't see
enough. David went out the next day, knowing what to look for. And,
I imagine, having reviewed his field guides to refresh his memory on
LeConte's, Grasshopper and both sharptailed species. He quickly
found the bird, and was able to id it. If I'd simply reported on
TN-bird that I saw a sparrow I couldn't identify, I'm not sure anyone
would have checked it out. And if they did, I'm not sure I'd know
that the great bird they saw was the bird I saw.
Remember, taxonomy, in the end, is simply a study of what things are
most similar. Learn it, and you know your subject better. It is NOT
just using big words.
And if you don't like my speech, I don't care. I have my friends
Jack Daniels and Pedro Martinez keeping me company. GO BOSOX!
Oh, and there is a Great Horned Owl calling right across the street
from my house right now.
Charlie Muise
=====
**************************************************
Charlie Muise, Senior Naturalist
Now living in Maryville, TN
Still working in Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm"
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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