Following the recent protests on Confederate statues, two ornithologists on Tuesday published an op-ed in the Washington Post, arguing that even bird names derived from racist historical figures should be changed.

The two bird experts, Gabriel Foley and Jordan Rutter, started out a blog called “Bird Names for Birds” to call out that “birds don’t need eponymous or honorific common names.” In the article, the two argued that many bird names were references from people that represent aspects of “inequality,” “racism,” and “colonialism.”

They also claimed that people need to acknowledge that such problems exist. As an example, Foley and Rutter referred to John James Audubon, a 19th-century author who had written one the most important ornithological works entitled “Birds in America.” The two recognized Audubon’s contribution, claiming that it is “entirely fitting” to give him the honor given his huge understanding of the environment.

However, the ornithologists claimed that even the 19th-century researcher also had his “dark side.” The two wrote that during the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, Audubon cut off heads of Mexican natives to send to a phrenologist. Despite using it for scientific purposes, Foley and Rutter argued that “his actions hardly align with modern values, and his scientific contributions do not excuse him from judgment.”

They have also added other names on the list, including Bachman’s Sparrow, which was named after a pro-slavery reverend. They have also listed McCown’s longspur, which was a direct reference to a Confederate General. Another “racist” name is Bendire’s thrasher, which came from a U.S. major who had fought against native Americans.

Then, there’s Hammond’s flycatcher, which was named after a doctor who took advantage of Native Americans killed in battle as a subject of his anatomical studies. Finally, they have added the name Townsend’s warbler, who was named after another researcher who dug up Native American skulls.

Foley and Rutter likened the “racist” names to the growing movement against Confederate statues. The two claimed that eponyms go beyond names and words; they also serve as “verbal statues” of a colonial system. Finally, they demanded that the honor that was given to these individuals should be “revoked.” “A bird’s beauty should not be marred by the baggage of an eponym,” Fley and Rutter concluded.

This is not the first time that experts are waging war against “racist” and sexist” eponyms. Last month two Australian doctors, Dr. Kristin Small, specialist obstetrician, gynecologist and anatomy lecture and Council member for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr. Nisha Khot claimed that it is time to get rid of “sexist” male body parts such as the Adam’s Apple and Achilles tendon.