Ornithologists decided to rename American birds to combat racial discrimination

The American Ornithological Society has decided to assign new names in English to 70-80 bird species from the United States and Canada named after historical figures. Among other things, it is planned to rename the Audubon tree, Kirtland’s tree and Anna’s hummingbird.

Species are often named after real people, and this practice is particularly common in English. She began to be criticized. One of the reasons is that the historical figures in whose honor the names are given may have a dubious reputation. The second reason is that the names were most often given after European-looking men, which activists say makes ornithology less inclusive.

Latin names will remain the same.