SANParks.org Forums

I just saw a photo of a Bateleur on the KNP Facebook page, and with it, it is indicated that the Bateleur is now called the "Short Tailed Eagle" (Afrikaans: Kortstert Arend). Any additional info? Why change?

Maybe just a direct translation from Afrikaans.

AFAIR, this was mooted years ago but not implemented.

IMHO it is a stupid name, because a bateleur is classed as a snake eagle.

Afrikaans for bateleur is berghaan, which is curious enough itself.

My question is still, why change the names in the first place. We have grown up with the same names but then a group of small individuals decide to change the name. Bateleur is such a descriptive word, so why change it to "kortstert" something?

Nope, as far as I know and can ascertain from my resources, a Bateleur is very much still a Bateleur and will remain as such until otherwise announced here.

http://www.worldbirdnames.org/

Why are bird names changed?

Answer: http://www.worldbirdnames.org/english-names/

As a member of the South African List Committee that, amongst other things, decides on the common names of birds to be included on the list, I can confirm that Bateleur is still very much Bateleur and there is no intention whatsoever to ever consider changing its name.

Whomever used the name "Short-tailed Eagle" was just making things up as there has never been any serious consideration to adopt that name...

Kind regards
Trevor

Thanks for the confirmation Trevor

Thanks Trevor.

Rumour quashed!

Thanks Trevor!

(I quoted you in a reply I posted on Facebook, indicating that the name has not changed)