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This page lists general books and dictionaries about bird names.

The list is arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top.

British Birds: Names, Facts, Myths

Geoff Green

"This book explores the intriguing world of the names of British birds. The book examines in detail the wide range and meaning of local and common names, the derivation and meaning of the official vernacular English name and thirdly the same analysis of the birds' scientific name. The derivation and meaning of a bird's name gives a fascinating insight into our long and intimate relationship with birds and how much they have been a part of our lives for millennia. The historical derivation of names is given showing how birds ' names reflect our relationship with and changing knowledge of birds. It also notes the way other languages have influenced names. Mis-named birds are identified showing how our increased knowledge of birds has guided us to more accurate names. Many names are linked to myths and tales, often establishing the characteristics we attribute to birds, so many of these are referred to."

Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks: The How and Why of Bird Names

Ray Reedman

2016

"Why do bird names, both common and scientific, change over time and why do they vary so much between different parts of the English-speaking world? Wandering through the scientific and cultural history of ornithology takes us to the heart of understanding the long relationship between birds and people. Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks uncovers the stories behind the incredible diversity of bird names, explains what many scientific names actually mean and takes a look at the history of the system by which we name birds. Ray Reedman explores the natural history and folklore behind bird names, in doing so unlocking the mystery of the name Scoter, the last unexplained common name of a British bird species."

The Scientific Nomenclature of Birds in the Upper Midwest

James Sandrock, Jean C. Prior

2014

"In this portable reference book, James Sandrock and Jean Prior explain the science and history behind the names of some 450 birds of the Upper Midwest states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Since many of these birds occur throughout the United States, this handbook can also be used by birders in other parts of the country. The authors examine the roots, stems, and construction of scientific names from their classical Latin and Greek or other linguistic origins. The translations of these words and insights into their sources yield quirky, tantalising facts about the people, geography, habitat, and mythology behind bird names. Each entry also includes the bird’s common name as well as local or regional names. Beginning birders confused by scientific names as well as more experienced birders curious about such names will find that the book opens unexpected connections into linguistic, historical, biological, artistic, biographical, and even aesthetic realms."

Latin for Bird Lovers

Roger J Lederer & Carol Burr

2014

"Latin for Bird Lovers is an accessible, informative, and beautifully illustrated guide to the mysteries of ornithological Latin. It reveals the meaning, origin, and pronunciation of Latin binomials, helping readers to get to grips with the highly useful information that these names contain, and also to communicate more effectively with other birders. The book features Bird Profile pages which look in depth at specific genera. Its Great Ornithologist spreads reveal the fascinating stories of the men and women who found and named many of the birds we love."

A Guide to Scots Bird Names

Robin Jackson

Ptarmigan Press

2nd edition

2013

"A Guide to Scots Bird Names contains no fewer than 1000 Scots bird names making it the most comprehensive Guide so far published. In addition to the names there are 24 colour illustrations by Mike Langman – one of the best known bird illustrators in Britain. There is an introductory section in which I seek to describe some of the possible origins of Scots bird names. A Guide to Scots Bird Names also contains 24 extracts from Scots poetry (15th to 20th century) which make reference to birds and which complement the text."

Australian Bird Names: A Complete Guide

Ian Fraser and Jeannie Gray

2013

"Australian Bird Names is aimed at anyone with an interest in birds, words, or the history of Australian biology and bird-watching. It discusses common and scientific names of every Australian bird, to tease out the meanings, which may be useful, useless or downright misleading! The authors examine every species: its often many-and-varied common names, its full scientific name, with derivation, translation and a guide to pronunciation. Stories behind the name are included, as well as relevant aspects of biology, conservation and history. Original descriptions, translated by the authors, have been sourced for many species."

Priority! The Dating of Scientific Names in Ornithology: A Directory to the Literature and its Reviewers

Edward C. Dickinson, Leslie K. Overstreet, Robert J. Dowsett and Murray Bruce

2011

"This is the first book to explain the importance of priority in relation to names in ornithology and in the context of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Backgrounds are first provided on the Code and on printing and publishing over the last 250 years. The compilers then bring together reports on 148 books and 121 periodicals in zoology which, between them, present almost all the challenges that can make date determination problematic. The reports provide links to the published authorities and are supported by tables containing extensive detail about the subsidiary parts or issues with their pagination and dates. This book and the included CD Rom are a searchable treasure trove."

A Glossary of Bird Names: Includes generic, family, and order names

Manjula Wijesundara

2010

"This glossary defines the common, generic, family, and order names of birds. It is primarily aimed at bird and nature lovers who seek definitions for unfamiliar bird names that they encounter in ornithological literature. It is also a valuable reference work for the interested non-specialists who would like a small definition for any unfamiliar bird name that they may come across in their day to day lives. An introduction to birds in general has also been provided, including brief accounts on feathers and flight, migration, evolutionary history, and classification of birds."

Latin Names of Indian Birds - Explained

Satish Pande

Oxford University Press

2010

"This book explains the Latin names of all birds of the Indian Subcontinent. The Introductory section on science and philosophy of bird nomenclature describes several aspects like toponyms, eponyms, descriptive and other epithets, as well as the role of International Commission for Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Information about all taxon-authors of birds of the Indian Subcontinent is provided in a separate section. The book also provides information on the conservation and endemic status and distribution of all birds. With four separate indexes of common names, generic names, specific names of birds, and of taxon-authors, this volume includes 18 lithographs by John Gould, Elizabeth Gould, and Henry Richter, 15 specially commissioned portraits of Taxon-authors, 309 bird sketches, and 8 black and white photographs of prominent ornithological personalities."

Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names

James A. Jobling

2009

"Many scientific bird names describe a bird's habits, habitat, distribution or a plumage feature, while others are named after their discoverers or in honour of prominent ornithologists. This extraordinary work of reference lists the generic and specific name for almost every species of bird in the world and gives its meaning and derivation. In the case of eponyms brief biographical details are provided for each of the personalities commemorated in the scientific names. This fascinating book is an outstanding source of information which will both educate and inform, and may even help to understand birds better."

European Bird Names: A Translation Guide

Tony Keene

2008

"... an easy reference to bird names from English to French, German and Dutch. It is designed to complement one of the most successful birding field guides, thus making it accessible to a large proportion of bird watchers, both in the UK and abroad. It reflects all the major taxonomic updates within the Western Palearctic in the last ten years. The book also gives details of when other countries' taxonomic authorities disagree and other useful tips on understanding bird names in French, German and Dutch."

Birds in the Ancient World From A to Z

W. Geoffrey Arnott

2007

"Birds in the Ancient World from A to Z gathers together the ancient information available, listing all the names that ancient Greeks gave their birds and all their descriptions and analyses. W. Geoffrey Arnott identifies as many of them as possible in the light of modern ornithological studies. The ancient Greek bird names are transliterated into English script, and all that the ancients said about birds is presented in English. This book is accordingly the first complete discussion of ancient bird names that will be accessible to readers without ancient Greek. The only large-scale examination of ancient birds for seventy years, the book has an exhaustive bibliography (partly classical scholarship and partly ornithological) to encourage further study, and provides students and ornithologists with the definitive study of ancient birds."

Birds of the World: Recommended English Names

Editors: Frank B. Gill and Minturn T. Wright III

2006

"The product of more than 15 years of discussion, debate and review by a team of international experts sanctioned by the International Ornithological Congress, "Birds of the World" unifies and standardises the avian nomenclature of the English-speaking regions of the world. It provides recommendations for the English name of every species of bird, and comes complete with a CD-ROM containing searchable and sortable Excel files of all the material in the book. Accommodating the very latest taxonomic revisions, this landmark volume will become an invaluable reference on the subject for scholars and ornithologists around the world."

Whose Bird?: Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds

Bo Beolens and Michael Watkins

2003

"Birders often wonder about the people commemorated in the names of many of our familiar bird species. Was Bonaparte's Gull named after Napoleon? Was the Pallas who named Pallas' Warbler the same individual as the discoverer of Pallas' Sandgrouse, and if so did he discover the two birds at the same time, on the same journey? Who was the Lady Amherst who gave her name to one of the world's most spectacular yet secretive pheasants? This book answers these questions and many more by presenting a potted biography of every individual who has given their name to a species of bird. The biographies detail the life and work of the individual involved, often revealing fascinating insights about the nature of bird study and exploration in the centuries gone by. 2235 birds and 1124 individuals are covered in the texts, and all available details are given for the handful of names which could not be traced. This reference is illustrated throughout with portraits of the individuals concerned and line drawings of the birds that bear their names."

Audubon to Xantus: The Lives of Those Commemorated in North American Bird Names

B. Mearns and R. Mearns

2003

"In this book, Barbara and Richard Mearns continue their research into the people behind the names started in their previous book on the European eponyms, biographies for birdwatchers. The 98 people commemorated in the current English and Latin names of birds in the American Ornithologists' Union checklist are a fascinating assembly. Travellers, explorers, collectors, museum taxonomists as well as their wives, daughters and mentors have all been immortalized in the bird names we use today. Although their claims to fame are diverse and capriciously determined by the chance and fashion of a developing taxonomy, they are as good a snapshot as any of the history of a new nation's study of birds. The Mearns' extensive research into archives in the Americas and elsewhere have unearthed the achievements of virtually all of those concerned and provided contemporary portraits of the great majority. Acquaintance with this motley gallery of people cannot help but enrich the experience of seeing the new species or of spotting an old friend at one's regular birding patch. The birds themselves are not forgotten either. A wonderful collection of over 120 species is pictured in the beautiful art of Dana Gardner. Following the style and format of biographies for birdwatchers, this new volume is dedicated to over 130 birds of America, North of Mexico. Ninety-eight biographies are presented including Steller (jay, eider, eagle), Audubon (shearwater, oriole), Baird (sandpiper, sparrow), Swainson (hawk, thrush, warbler) and Wilson (sex species?). Each biography includes delightful drawings of the eponymous species by Dana Gardner and in almost all cases, a contemporary portrait of the persons concerned."

Elsevier's Dictionary of Bird Names

M. Wrobel

2002

"Providing an overview of the English, French, German and Italian names of birds occurring in Europe, North America, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and French-speaking countries, this dictionary contains 10,838 scientific names of orders, families, species and some sub-species. The relevant order and family are shown for each term and the taxonomy is that used by the different authors of the sources. The basic table of the dictionary contains, in alphabetical order, the scientific names of orders, families, species and some sub-species with, again in alphabetical order, their identified names in English, German, French and Italian. The dictionary should be of value to translators of scientific and general literature; scientific and botanical authors; environmentalists and ecologists and scientific and lay readers of foreign literature."

Pickcheese, Billy Wise and Cobble: Illustrated Folk Names of Birds

Steve Palin

2002

Lists local and folk names for some Britsh birds. Each species listed is accompanied by a full page illustration that incorporates some of the names.

100 Birds and How They Got Their Names

Diana Wells

Illustrations: Lauren Jarrett

2003

"How did cranes come to symbolize matrimonial happiness? Why were magpies the only creatures that would not go inside Noah's Ark? Birds and bird imagery are integral parts of our language and culture. With her remarkable ability to dig up curious and captivating facts, Diana Wells hatches a treat for active birders and armchair enthusiasts alike. Meet the intrepid adventurers and naturalists who risked their lives to describe and name new birds. Learn the mythical stories of the gods and goddess associated with bird names."

A Thesaurus of Bird Names: Etymology of European Lexis Through Paradigms: 2 Volume Set and CD-ROM

Michael Desfayes

1998

A two volume, 2500 page work. Volume 1 lists around 100,000 bird names in 40 Indo-European languages for about 450 European and Middle Eastern species together with as number of appendices including a section listing bird names in ancient languages. I suspect Volume 2 has to be seen to be understood. It comprises mainly entomological investigation and may well be of more interest to linguists and philologists than to bird watchers. Though, having not seen a copy, this may be an incorrect assumption. A CD-ROM copy is also included as an essential indexing tool.

British Birds: Their Names, Folklore and Literature

Francesca Greenoak

1997

"Species by species, this text delves into this heritage of bird lore, discussing the origin of the bird's name, any regional variations in that name, and any folklore attached to that species. Alongside this it provides examples of the role particular species have played in poetry and prose."

A Guide to Scots Bird Names

Robin Jackson & David Mitchell

1996

Lists around 500 names that have been used for Scots birds over the last 700 years.

History and nomenclature of avian family-group names

Author: Walter Joseph Bock

American Museum of Natural History

1994

Abstract:

"The Standing Committee on Ornithological Nomenclature chaired by Walter Bock undertook an analysis ofthe nomenclatural history of avian family-group names. The primary results are (1) the establishment of a complete list of avian family-group names with authors, dates, and citations to the original papers, (2) discussion of problem family-group names, (3) an index to avian family-group names, (4) a historical analysis of avian family-group nomenclature, and (5) a historical analysis of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature as it related to family-group nomenclature. The second result is the basis for an application to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to adopt formally the presented list of avian family-group names as the official baseline dated 1 January 1994 for all future nomenclatural decisions relating to avian family-group names. Third is the use of this historical survey of avian family-group names as a test case to demonstrate the suitability of regulations in the Code pertaining to family-group names in the absence, as well as in the availability, of full historical knowledge of family-group names in a larger taxon. It is shown that these regulations are not workable without a detailed knowledge of nomenclatural history, and because such histories are not available for most groups of animals, current regulations in the Code pertaining to family-group names are not workable. Lastly, recommendations are offered for modifications in the rules of zoological nomenclature to achieve greater continuity, stability, and universality of family-group names without the need for complete historical investigations of these names in each group of animals. These suggestions include establishment of stare decisis clauses and of base-line lists of family-group for family-group names for each group of animals."

Dictionary of Animal Names in Five Languages, Vol 4: Birds

Edited by R.L. Boehme and V.E. Flint

1994

"Over 11,000 entries covering bird names of the world fauna."

The Oxford Dictionary of British Bird Names

W.B. Lockwood

1993

"Covering over 1,500 standard and local British common bird names, relating to some 260 species, this A-Z guide should be invaluable to birdwatchers and word buffs throughout the British Isles. Each entry provides the etymology and history of the name, complete with full documentation of dates and sources. An introduction covers the linguistic evolution and standardization of bird names."

European Bird Names in Fifteen Languages

Roland Sandberg

1992

Lists the names of over 800 Western Palearctic species in 15 European languages: English; German; Danish; Spanish; French; Hungarian; Italian; Icelandic; Norwegian; Dutch; Portuguese; Polish; Swedish; and Finnish. This book is an update of the 1983 book European Bird Names In Ten Languages

A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names

James A. Jobling

1991

This dictionary gives the derivation and meaning of all valid scientific bird names. Each part of the name is defined separately so that Passer domesticus, for example, will not be found as such, but both Passer and domesticus are explained in their respective alphabetical places. The usefulness of the dictionary will thus not be affected by future taxonomic revisions of generic or species names. About 8500 names are defined, including a selection of historical synonyms. Many unusual details emerge from the author's meticulous work in tracking down obscure meanings. A short but informative introduction explains the history and purposes of scientific nomenclature and the basic features of Latin in this context. It also discusses the ways in which birds have been named for their appearance, for a person or place, or some aspect of their habitat, behaviour, food, or voice, or with reference to their native-language name.

Birds: Their Scientific Names Explained, Volume 1: Divers to Terns

J. Booth and R. Morris

Birds: Their Scientific Names Explained, Volume 2: Auks to Passerines

J. Booth and R. Morris

Birds: Alternative Names: A World Checklist

Walter Lodge

1991

Biographies for Birdwatchers: The Lives of Those Commemorated in Western Palearctic Bird Names

Barbara and Richard Mearns

1988

"Over one hundred species of Western Palearctic birds bear English or Latin names which commemorate people. But who were Stellar, Bonaparte, Sabine and Eleonora and the rest and how did their names become attached to the various species? The book will delight and fascinate the reader, both as a comprehensive reference and an account of the remarkable achievements of the early ornithologists and collectors."

Obsolete English Names of North American Birds and Their Modern Equivalents

Richard C. Banks

Also possibly published by:

Southwest Natural and Cultural Heritage Association

1988

European Bird Names in Ten Languages

Roland Sandberg

1983

Lists the names of Western Palearctic species in 10 European languages.

The Oxford Book of British Bird Names

W.B. Lockwood

1984

"The Linnet eats linseed, and the Shearwater's name comes from its flight pattern, but other bird names are not so obvious. This study of these names makes fascinating reading for linguists and ornithologists alike. Once-forgotten meanings and fokelore, as well as simple word derivations, are revealed in this eye-opening guide, laid out in dictionary form for easy reference."

Birds: Their Latin Names Explained

A.F. Gotch

1981

All The Birds Of The Air: The Names, Lore and Literature of British Birds

Francesca Greenoak

Andre Deutsch

1979

"Species by species, this text delves into this heritage of bird lore, discussing the origin of the bird's name, any regional variations in that name, and any folklore attached to that species. Alongside this it provides examples of the role particular species have played in poetry and prose."

An Index Of Australian Bird Names

Division of Wildlife Research

1969

Dictionary of English and Folk Names of British Birds

H. Kirke Swann

1913 (reprint 1977)

A dictionary of English and folk-names of the more familiar British birds. Information provided includes history, meaning and first usage of the names. Associated folk-lore, weather-lore and legends about the birds is also included.

Ornithological Synonyms

Hugh Edwin Strickland

J. Van Voorst

1855

From the introduction: "It is well known to everyone who has worked out any branch of natural science, and even to those who have only partially engaged in similar research, that no department requires so much patience and impartiality, and shows so little apparent result in comparison with the time and labour bestowed, yet is withal so necessary and essential to the clear understanding of the subject, as that of unravelling the synonymy or the various names by which the same object has been over and over again designated.