Birds of South America & Talk on Bird Name Changes by Peter Alden

Please join us Sunday, March 16 at 4:30 pm at the Arlington Town Hall, Second Floor, for a presentation from Peter Alden regarding bird naming and the American Ornithological Society's current review of current naming conventions. The talk is in coordination with Chuck Carney's bird photos, many is South America, on display at Arlington Town Hall. The first half hour will be social and for review of the gallery display. The talk will begin at 5pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Abstract The decision by the American Ornithological Society (AOS) to eliminate modifiers named after people of over 100 North American bird species (i.e. Wilson’s Warbler) will have enormous repercussions in the publishing world. The illustrated talk will present the need for this change and focus on several dozen affected New England species. It will include a few other common bird names that may need to be improved (i.e. Red-bellied Woodpecker). The pros and cons for each new name candidate will be discussed and voted on by the audience.

Location: Arlington Town Hall, Historic Conference Room, 730 Mass Ave., Arlington, Mass.

About the Speakers:

Peter Alden has scouted out and led many of the first ever birding tours to 100 countries on seven continents since the 1960’s. He helped select names for Roger Peterson’s Mexican Birds around 1970. In 1981 he authored the world’s first travel guide for birders “Finding Birds Around the World”. He argued with co-author John Gooders of the UK to select either the US or British name or a new one. Many alternates were added in the taxonomic index. Many of his creations are now in common use such as Chihuahuan Raven and so many others.

Chuck Carney is an amateur photographer who enjoys seeing and experiencing new things and improving his skills as an artist. He has been fortunate enough to travel for work and since retired, has continued those travels for pleasure, lugging his 30lbs of camera gear when he can. Chuck is a member of several birding clubs and has contributed photographs to various birding groups in the Greater Boston area. In recent years he has focused on bird photography, mostly in North and South America. "Capturing pictures of birds in their environment has been an educational journey and challenging to be in the right place, at the right time, in the right light, with the right settings and quick reflexes to get the right shot. But when you do get it right, it’s a great feeling."