Showing posts with label bird of the month. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bird of the month. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Bird of the Month—from THE SCIENTIFIC NOMENCLATURE OF BIRDS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST

ZENAIDA: The genus is named for Zénaïde Letitia Julie Bonaparte (1801-1854) by her husband, Charles Lucien Jules Lauren Bonaparte. Dove family.

asiatica: This Latin word for "Asiatic" is a misnomer, since the type specimen was taken in the West Indies (Jamaica), not India, as Linnaeus believed.

Common name: White-winged Dove for the white patch on the upper wing in flight and the white streak on the folded wing.

Other names: White-wing, singing dove, cactus pigeon

macroura: From Greek makros = big, far reaching + oura = tail. "Long tail" applies to the long, pointed central feathers on the tapering tail.

Common name: Mourning Dove for the plaintive call

Other names: turtledove, wild dove, rain crow

Monday, August 4, 2014

Bird of the Month—from THE SCIENTIFIC NOMENCLATURE OF BIRDS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST

XANTHOCEPHALUS: From Greek xanthos = yellow + kephalē = the head. "Yellow head" describes the color of the head and breast of the adult male. Blackbird family.

xanthocephalus: A tautonym

Common name: Yellow-headed Blackbird

Other names: Copperhead, Yellowhead

From the Scientific Nomenclature of Birds in the Upper Midwest, by James Sandrock and Jean C. Prior

Friday, July 11, 2014

July Bird of the Month—from THE SCIENTIFIC NOMENCLATURE OF BIRDS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST

REGULUS: The Latin word for "a little king, prince" alludes to the small size, colorful "crown," and commanding behavior of birds in this genus. Warbler Family.

calendula: a coined Latin word for "glowing" (from calēre = to glow with heat) that describes the red patch on the crown of the male.

Common name: Ruby-crowned Kinglet for the infrequently seen red crown of the male

Other names: ruby crown, ruby-crowned wren, ruby-crowned warbler

satrapa: The Latin word (Greek satrapēs) for "a viceroy, provincial governor," who might be inclined to wear a crown.

Common name: Golden-crowned Kinglet for the orange patch on the crown of the male, yellow on the female

Other names: gold-crest, flame-crest, fiery-crowned wren

From the Scientific Nomenclature of Birds in the Upper Midwest, by James Sandrock and Jean C. Prior