I was just reading an article in The Washington Post about a bird, the bar-tailed godwit, that migrated nonstop from Alaska to New Zealand. It is a fascinating story...
But I got distracted.
What kind of a name is 'godwit'?
Definitely not a 'Merican name. If an American had named it, it would have been a "Curved-nosed asskicker" or something like that.
Obviously, there have been some sane, normal ornithologists. Blackbird. Red-winged blackbird. Bluebird. Raven. Stellar's jay. Here's a name that was obviously inspired in Arkansas: red-necked grebe.
And then there's "Yellow-bellied sapsucker"
Here's the test: get a bird book. Go to a manly bar, and dare someone to open to any page, and read the names of the birds aloud.
See if you don't get your nose curved and ass kicked!