Proposal
(304) to South American Classification
Committee
Change English name of Goethalsia
bella to "Rufous-cheeked Hummingbird"
This
proposal change the current SACC name, "Pirre Hummingbird" for Goethalsia
bella to the newer "Rufous-cheeked Hummingbird", used by AOU
(1983,1998), Ridgely & Gwynne (1989) and Sibley & Monroe (1990). I
don't know who coined the latter name, but it seems to me to represent the
epitome of useless tinkering with English names and an entirely unnecessary
attempt to impose an Eisenmann-type "descriptive" name. On the one
hand, "Pirre Hummingbird" is a perfectly correct toponym taken from
the type locality; the species has a very limited geographical range including
only 3-4 isolated massifs in the DariŽn region of Panama and the border with
Colombia: use of toponyms in such cases is a useful indicator of a very
restricted distribution, and the fact that the bird also occurs on a few
adjacent mountains does not detract from this. On the other hand,
"Rufous-cheeked" is a singularly poor descriptor; the anterior
forehead, lores and chin are rufous (or better, chestnut) but not the
cheeks, thus the name is decidedly misleading. (The general effect is that of a
bird that has just taken a drink from a cup of cocoa). Hence, I see no reason
to perpetuate a poor descriptor with an established and adequate toponym
already in place, and advocate the use of "Pirre Hummingbird"
for Goethalsia bella, namely a NO vote. A YES would be in
favor of use of "Rufous-cheeked".
F. Gary Stiles, August
2007
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Comments from Remsen: "NO. As Gary noted, yet another example
of counterproductive name-meddling. If this doesn't pass, I'll submit proposal
to NACC to change to Pirre Hummingbird."
Comments from Stotz: "NO. It seems like Pirre has history on
its side as well as pointing to the narrow range. Plus, it is a far more
distinctive and memorable name."
Comments from Jaramillo: "NO - Pirre Hummingbird is a great name,
with history!"
Comments from Robbins: "NO. Pirre Hummingbird is quite
appropriate for this range-restricted species, and as Gary points out,
"Rufous-cheeked" is not an accurate descriptor."
Comments from Zimmer: "NO. "Pirre Hummingbird" is a
far better name, and this fits with my general feeling that toponyms for
range-restricted species are more informative and more memorable than most
attempts at morphologically descriptive names."