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

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July 14

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Amazon or amazon

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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)[reply]

At this time, it is not listed at List of words derived from toponyms.
Wavelength (talk) 15:06, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]
You can use http://www.onelook.com/?w=amazon&ls=a to check various dictionaries.
Wavelength (talk) 15:08, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]
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)[reply]
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)[reply]
Thanks, Wavelength. I agree with you. Julia\talk 19:39, 16 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]