From the cuckoo to the bananaquit, the names we give birds are some of the most vivid and evocative words in the English language. They can carry whole stories — of arctic expeditions, pitched battles between rival ornithologists or touching romantic gestures. When he set out to write a book about bird names, naturalist and author Stephen Moss discovered his love of birds and his love of language overlapped more than he ever imagined. Join us for a lively conversation about etymology, history, science, ego, culture, and tradition, and how they all come together in the names of birds.

This program was presented via Zoom on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Language & is made possible by the generous support of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation.

Moss’s book Mrs. Moreau’s Warbler: How Birds Got Their Names is available for purchase through our Bookshop.org storefront: https://bookshop.org/a/21212/97817833...

Planet Word is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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