More about old-time bird names...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

TURKEY VULTURE a.k.a. Buzzard

I was looking through a very old birding guide published in 1906 recently and some ancient names for modern birds caught my eye.   Following are a dozen or so examples...

Puffin                             -  Sea Parrot

Western Grebe              -  Swan Grebe

Loon                              -  Great Northern Diver

Anhinga                         -  Snake Bird

Red-necked Pheasant  -  Mongolian Pheasant

Bobwhite                       -  Virginia Partridge

Dovekie                         -  Sea Dove

Black Guillemot             -  Sea Pigeon

Ross's Gull                    -  Wedge-tailed Gull

Spruce Grouse              -  Canada Grouse

Peregrine Falcon           -  Duck Hawk

Osprey                          -  Fish Hawk

Saw-whet Owl               -  Acadian Owl

In fact, these few alternate names are among many thousands that have been used over the years and centuries.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder