You and your Canadian friend pen pal enjoy talking about nature together. While your friend describes some birds that she saw today, you realize that one of the birds she described sounds like one you have seen in your home state of Indiana. You remember that all organisms have common and scientific names. Which would be most appropriate to use to confirm with your friend?
It would be most appropriate to use the scientific name of the bird to confirm with your friend. Common names for organisms can vary regionally, so using the scientific name will ensure that you are both talking about the same species.
