Most of us never think twice about the names of birds. But across North America, more than 150 bird species are named after historical figures, including colonizers, enslavers, and people who promoted racist pseudoscience.

On this episode, Megan Leslie sits down with filmmaker and environmental journalist Aliya Jasmine to talk about her new short film, Bird Names, which explores the movement to change the names of these birds and the reasons why a simple change in language might have a much bigger impact than people realize.

Aliya and Megan talk about the merits of renaming (or “unnaming”) these beautiful birds, as well as the importance of making conservation spaces more welcoming and inclusive for all different kinds of people. Plus, if there was an Aliya Jasmine bird, what would it sound like?

Finally, WWF-Canada community engagement specialist Kathy Nguyen pops in to share a nature hot take about how small a habitat can really be.

Watch Aliya’s short film, Bird Names, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL4lCBPWUbs

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