Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2014 July 14

= July 14 =

Amazon or amazon
Before the MoS change to lower case all bird names, parrots of the genus Amazona all had the "Amazon" in their name capitalised by default, e.g. White-fronted Amazon. Now that things have changed, we're unsure whether it should be white-fronted amazon or white-fronted Amazon. Is it still a proper noun when used this way? Wondering if the English buffs have some insight! There's a current discussion on this here. Julia\talk 05:09, 14 July 2014 (UTC)


 * At this time, it is not listed at List of words derived from toponyms.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 15:06, 14 July 2014 (UTC)


 * You can use http://www.onelook.com/?w=amazon&ls=a to check various dictionaries.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 15:08, 14 July 2014 (UTC)


 * AviBase uses "White-fronted Parrot" at http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?lang=EN&avibaseid=DD669F07D14ADD6F. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums uses ""white-fronted amazon" at http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/visit-the-zoo/parrots/amazona-albifrons.  (The) Parrot Forum uses "white-fronted amazon" in text at http://theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6983.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 15:42, 14 July 2014 (UTC)


 * A person reading the capitalized version might wonder (momentarily) whether it had something in common with the White Nile. When I consider all the information that I have found on this matter (including the closing statements at WP:BIRDCON), I am inclined to prefer the uncapitalized version.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 04:45, 15 July 2014 (UTC)


 * Thanks, Wavelength. I agree with you.  Julia\talk  19:39, 16 July 2014 (UTC)