Totanus (Bechstein, 1803) is a generic name previously applied to various waders or shorebirds, now subsumed within Tringa. Created by Johann Matthäus Bechstein, it derives from the species name for the common redshank, described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae as Scolopax totanus, from totano, the Italian name for the bird.[1]

Common redshank standing on a post
Common redshank (Tringa totanus)

Birds once placed in the genus include:

References

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  1. ^ Higgins, P. J.; & Davies, S. J. J. F. (Eds). (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 3: Snipe to Pigeons. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553070-5 (page 131)