Birds of the World: Recommended English Names

Data Source ID: 138

This initiative provides a set of unique English-language names for the extant species of the birds of the world. The names are based on a consensus of leading ornithologists worldwide and conform to standard rules of construction.<br/><br/>The English names recommended here are:<br/><br/>based on explicit guidelines and spelling rules<br/>selected to involve minimal use of hyphens for group names<br/>anglicized without glottal stops, accents, and the like<br/>based on interregional agreement and global consensus, with compromises<br/>selected with deference to long-established names<br/>aligned with current species taxonomy<br/>available for general adoption<br/>sponsored and endorsed by the IOC and by committee members<br/>This was a volunteer, community effort on behalf of the International Ornithological Congress (IOC).<br/><br/>Commissioned in 1991, the project took 15 years to complete. All participants gave freely and generously of their valuable time and resources. We waived royalty rights and subsidized the publication of the work to maximize its quality and affordability.<br/><br/>Wide dissemination, use, and improvement of the recommended International English names are our only goals. Gratis license to use this list in derivative works can be obtained by writing Frank Gill, P.O. Box 428 , Rushland PA 18956.<br/><br/>In the spirit of realized humility, we dedicate this work to Burt L. Monroe Jr. We just finished the first phase of what he started.<br/><br/>Frank Gill and Minturn Wright <br/>Co-chairs, IOC Standing Committee on English Names <br/>April 2007