The American Ornithological Society says it will alter the names of North American birds named after humans, starting with up to 80 of them
After two years of discussion and debate, the nation’s premier birding organization has decided that birds should not have human names.
The American Ornithological Society announced Wednesday that it will remove names given to North American birds in honor of people and replace them with monikers that better describe their plumage and other characteristics. The group said it will prioritize birds whose names trace to enslavers, white supremacists and robbers of Indigenous graves. Among them is one of the most famous birders in U.S. history, John James Audubon.
