How Birds Get Their Names

General meeting of the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society features speaker Kurt Leuschner, How Birds Get Their Names. "Today birds tend to be named after some anatomical feature, e.g., Yellow-rumped Warbler. But this wasn't always the case. In the 1800's it was common to name a bird after a special person. Have you ever wondered who Costa (hummingbird) or Lawrence (goldfinch) or Scott (oriole) is? In this colorful presentation the origin of many of our local birds' names will be revealed. You might be surprised to hear that a number of the namesakes never even saw their own bird. One such person was a flashy-dressing neat freak who had the nickname "old fuss and feathers"...you'll have to come to the presentation to find out who! Lots of other interesting stories and neat tidbits of ornithological history will be shared." Kurt Leuschner is a Professor of Natural Resources at College of the Desert where he teaches courses on Conservation, Entomology, Field Ornithology, Native Plants, and GPS Navigation. He has a Bachelor's degree in Zoology from U.C. Santa Barbara and a Master's in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida. Kurt is very active locally - volunteering for the Mt. San Jacinto State Park, the Living Desert, the BLM, the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, and the National Audubon Society. He is the founder of the Desert Cities Bird Club and serves as President of the Natural Science Collaborative. His most recent publication is the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail map and brochure. Kurt also teaches weekend courses and workshops on birdwatching, insects, GPS, and backyard habitats for UCR Extension, the Desert Institute, the Desert Studies Center, and the Living Desert.