![]() Some of these species were found all across North America, and unfortunately common names in one area were meaningless in another region. The Pigeon Hawk and the Sparrow Hawk were similarly named for the prey they sought. The publishers knew that using the intimidating Latin or scientific names would not ensure great sales, so the more acceptable common name ‘system’ was used.Īnd so Falco peregrinus became Duck Hawk due to their trait of following the migrating flocks of waterfowl, and Circus cyancus became illustrated as Marsh Hawk, because of their favourite habitat to nest and hunt in. The switch from voluminous tomes of ornithological minutia over to ‘fit in your pack’ field books took the fancy of every person with a pair of binoculars. In this example the Peregrine Falcon is related to the Gyrfalcon via gross characteristics that they both share, yet enough differences have been noted between them to separate the two into distinct species.Ībout the same time period as the opening riddle, field guides were becoming popular. Using mainly Greek or Latin words (considered by many to be ‘dead’ languages) a Genus grouping would be followed by a specific name, thus a certain bird would be Falco peregrinus while its close cousin would be Falco rusticolus. The local classic example is the spring wildflower Erythronium americanum, perhaps known to you as trout lily… or fawn lily… or adder’s tongue… or dog-toothed violet. Heavily promoted by Carl Linnaeus in the mid-1700s, the binomial system was invented to assist people in placing every species into a known order, the result being that every living thing has a binomial (two part) name, the first being the genus and the second being the species.Īccording to the rules of taxonomy (which is the science of identifying, naming and classifying living things) each species can have only one scientific name, however when it comes to common names there are no limits. The precise method is the binomial (two name) system that scientists, biologists and other researchers around the world subscribe to. When it comes to slapping a name on a wild critter or plant or anything in Nature, there are two lines of directions, one very precise and the other, shall we say, seems to be left up left up to the locals. ![]() ![]() ![]() Okay, closest decade then? If you answered anytime pre-1970 you would be pretty close to the correct date.Īfter that time, the birdwatchers would have had to change their list to indicate Peregrine Falcon, Harrier, Merlin and Kestrel. On the list are Duck Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Pigeon Hawk and Sparrow Hawk. So here’s a nature riddle for you: A group of birdwatchers is making a list of birds they’ve seen so far that day. ![]()
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