What do you think? Leave your answer as a comment below–the first correct answer, and the best incorrect answer, will win a WINGS cap.
What North American breeding bird has an English name that commemorates a site in the southeastern US and a scientific name that commemorates a site in the northwestern US?
OK, OK, I’ll submit my answer in your preferred way, also:
From: davequady@att.net
Subject: The current quiz
Date: May 17, 2010 9:08:28 AM PDT
To: wings@wingsbirds.com
Wings folks:
“This month’s question: What North American breeding bird has an English name that commemorates a site in the southeastern US and a scientific name that commemorates a site in the northwestern US?”
Gotta be Savannah Sparrow.
I was pleased to be able to see the nominate subspecies on Unalaska, on a trip that I organized in 1998. Jon was on that trip as well.
Dave Quady
Berkeley, California
davequady@att.net
PS: Neither Jon nor I rode any horses on that trip.
Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow does not work. You must have meant that the scientific name commemorates a site in the “northeastern US.” There are Sandwich towns but they are all north east.
Thanks,
Austin
Savannah, Georgia official changed its name to Apple, Georgia to try to bring in some new technology jobs. I just happened to be in Savannah buying some peaches when that name change went down.
Unless the common name of ‘Passerculus sandwichensis unalaska’ is changed to the ‘Apple Sparrow’ the common name no longer commemorates a site in the SE USA. As far as I know this sparrow still breeds in the USA. However, ‘Wings’ had to already know about the name change of Savannah, Georgia so the real answer is still out there somewhere. I’ll let you know when I find it.
I’ve already done some extensive research. It is NOT the Tennessee Warbler, or the Key West Quail-Dove. However, Tennessee and Key West haven’t changed their names yet. And as far as I know the Key West Quail-Dove no longer breeds in the USA. However, the Ruddy Quail-Dove does have ‘montana’ going for it. Too bad Kentury or Louisiana don’t have any warblers named after them. I believe both of these states may still be in the southeastern United States. Does the Mississippi Kite breed in the USA?
Barry, I’m overwhelmed!
Austin, stay tuned: I think you’re in for a mild geographic surprise.