A number of people responded favorably to my first Bird Names posting, and I thank both of you. That surge of approval has prompted me to do another one. Let me begin by telling you what I cannot do. I can’t tell you with any certainty where Gadwall, Grackle, Teal Continue Reading
Language & Words
Where Did Those Bird Names Come From?
I’m a long-time birder. We birders bandy about bird monikers as if they are part of everyday speech: Grebe. Parula. Cormorant. Sandpiper. Vireo. Swallow. Nuthatch. Bunting. Nighthawk, Killdeer, Osprey, Wren. Some bird names have very long standing, going back to languages we no longer speak. Some are echoic (sort of): Continue Reading