Bird Names - As this list is about communication, it is desirable to use the standardized common names for which John Rakestraw has already provided the appropriate online references.
I appreciate the point regarding the apparent misnomers within the standardized set. Who would not want to see Dendroica tigrina referenced as the Tigrine Warbler what with the appropriate streaking and all; but New Jersey intervened. However, personal preferences only add to the confusion.
If you do make use of an alternate name, please indicate somewhere that you have done so. Use of an older name is usually forgiven, provided it does not result in a misinterpretation. "Myrtle" Warbler is commonly substituted for Yellow-rumped Warbler. Provided you do indeed refer to the eastern race of Dendroica coronata, the Myrtle Warbler (99.999% of Ohio birds), then I don't see a problem. But if your commentary is on the species, then it would be necessary to refer to Yellow-rumped Warbler. And as to the use of 'Butterbutt' - as near and dear an appellation that may be to many of us, best I think to leave that off the lists and in the field;likewise . . . from the Bird Studies Canada banders lexicon . . .
With the advent of Internet communications, there has been a renewal of calls for the use of scientific names. Yet there is a reason for standardization in the vernacular - by definition the common language. Recently, in a talk about Ohio's macrolichens, Don Flenniken (author of Macrolichens of West Virginia), stated "there is no easy way to talk of lichens amongst your friends". He was referring to the lack of any common name and the dread most adults have of the latinized version. And despite the progress seen in todays 10 year-olds (who can generally rattle off 20-30 of their favorite latinized dinosaurs with aplomb), I suspect we are stuck with the vernacular for some time.
I made a similar point on the International Birdchat about 6 years ago. The vernacular affords access to the general audience. Seen any scientific names of living organisms in the media lately? And if you can't bring it to the public's attention, good luck trying to conserve it. Ever notice how for even the more obscure endangered species it typically has a common name.
That is not to say some scientific nomenclature is not of service to the lay ornithologist. Consider these uses you likely will have come across.
Empids - those pesky little green jobs that fly snatch all too silently. The name derives from the genus Empidonax referring in Ohio commonly to the Alder, Acadian, Willow, Least, and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers.
Buteo - many a list will refer to Buteo species meaning a lump in a tree comparing favorably with the general form of a member of the genus Buteo; again in Ohio typically a Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, Rough-legged, or Broad-winged Hawk. Buteonine - the adjective to Buteo- is not directly substituted as a Golden Eagle is Buteonine in nature yet not of the genus Buteo. Accipiter - well it might have been a Sharpy or a Coop's (hawk-watcher lingo) but you KNOW it was an Accipiter (you just reported a genus). Not to mention the common name that is a scientific name e.g. Anhinga.
Given the rapid advances in avian taxonomy and the attendant changes in nomenclature, it is inevitable that multiple names are going to find their way into this forum. For the novice concerned about older names, your best bet will be to go to a used book store and for $10.00 pick up a couple of field guides from 20 & 50 years ago. For the rest of us - get use to the latest up-to-the-minute changes for what was entrenched for the last generation is already passe` for next.