bairdii

Bairdii is a Latinized species epithet used in the scientific names of several organisms to honor the American naturalist Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823–1887). In zoological nomenclature, the ending -ii indicates a male honoree, and the epithet is applied across different genera to recognize Baird’s contributions to natural history. It does not designate a single taxon but rather a eponym shared by multiple species.

Notable examples include Berardius bairdii, commonly known as Baird's beaked whale, a large cetacean of the North Pacific. It is one of the few beaked whales frequently cited in marine research and is distinguished from other beaked whales by its geographic distribution and dental and skull features. Another example is Tapirus bairdii, known as Baird's tapir, a large herbivorous mammal native to tropical forests of Central America. Tapirus bairdii inhabits lowland and foothill forests and is associated with riparian and moist environments.

The use of bairdii illustrates a broader taxonomic practice of naming species in honor of prominent scientists and naturalists. While Baird’s name appears in several distinct taxa, each species remains unique to its own genus and biological characteristics. The epithet serves as a historical reference linking diverse forms of life to Spencer Baird’s legacy in natural history.