33 replies to this topic

[rogerVA]

Until last week, I really thought they were called "Chirping" Sparrows. I was quite surprised to realize they are actually "Chipping" Sparrows. Embarrassing. I deserve to be laughed out of birdom.

[GreatHorn]

I noticed that. But if it's any consolation, I still do not know how to pronounce half the bird names I come across.

[fisherman1313]

For many years, even after reading several field guides, I thought tanager was spelled tananger. It wasn't until I got a CD of bird songs and heard the name at the start of the track that I realized I was spelling incorrectly.

GreatHorn; post any names you are unsure of here and many people will help you.

[cwj2323]

We used to pronounce Bobolinks, "Boe-boe-links", not knowing we were wrong until we heard it pronounced on a bird CD. That thing was a lifesaver, as we learned how many birds we didn't know how to pronounce.

[horseface]

Forrester's Tern

[Paruula]

Guillemont and paroola. Hence the username!

[fisherman1313]

Forrester's Tern

The president of the local Audubon group, who has over 20 years experience, say's Foster's Tern.

[horseface]

...it isn't Paroola?? apoiefjasrhgsaegfear

[Pat B.]

Protho-NOTE-ary Warbler.

[Pat B.]

Until last week, I really thought they were called "Chirping" Sparrows. I was quite surprised to realize they are actually "Chipping" Sparrows. Embarrassing. I deserve to be laughed out of birdom.

We, of course, knew you were doing this, but being the polite people we are, didn't call it to your attention.

[JimBob]

...it isn't Paroola?? apoiefjasrhgsaegfear

I know!!! I just found that out too!!!

So how do you pronounce Bobolink, and Guillemot?

[horseface]

Is the french pronunciation of Guillemot acceptable? Because I like that.

And maybe my Parula isn't wrong after all. I say it more like "Fool" than like "Coot".

Bobolink is just like some dude's name if it were Bob O. Link. Except the O is short lol

[fisherman1313]

I've always heard;

Guillemot as Gill-eh-mot (with no accent on any particular syllable), is the French pronunciation GEE-moe?

Parula as Puh-ROO-luh

Bobolink as BOB-oh-link

[Paruula]

GILL-uh-mawt is how I hear it pronounced.

Speaking of Frenchifying things... For the longest time, I pronounced Vaux's Swift like "Vo's" and just recently found out it was incorrect (and apparently rather pretentious). Whoops.

For the record, I am boycotting PAIR-uh-la and sticking with Pa-ROO-la, because I'm an old curmudgeon.

Edit: There's this pretty amusing article by Kevin McGowan (who is awesome) about the pronunciation of bird names. http://www.birds.cor...ws/birdname.htm
Pat B., you need not despair, apparently pro-tho-NO-ta-ry is just fine! Eheh, even he writes about the Vo's Swift pretentiousness thing! Feeling like a winner.

[horseface]

I learned french for a really long time so whenever I see a french name that's how I want to say it. Saying it otherwise just feels so wrong.

And Pairula? Oh man that's terrible sounding. No wonder we say it wrong.

[fisherman1313]

I used to say Voes Swift as well, I always thought it was fFrench. Someone locally corrected me and then I read that the biord was named for an American of English decent.

I've always heard Prothonotary as pro-THON-uh-TAIR-ee

[GreatHorn]

I used to say Boe-boe-link. And prothonotary with the accent on the "not." Now, you guys mean to tell me that Parula has a short U? I refuse to say that

[rogerVA]

Chirping Sparrow still sounds better to me. Chipping Sparrow? Please.

[hawkhenries]

Roger here is why it is a "chip"ing sparrow

[Pat B.]

I've always heard Prothonotary as pro-THON-uh-TAIR-ee

I listened to the pronunciation on dictionary.com several times after I embarrassed myself after my latest lifer sighting. Accent is on the THON, not the NO as I was saying. Actually, it's the title of a public official in Allegheny County, PA, which adds nothing to the birding discussion, but I thought it was interesting. Strange name for such a pretty little bird!