EPISODE · Mar 27, 2019 · 27 MIN
The Feather Detective
from Sidedoor · host Smithsonian Institution
In 1960, investigators found dark bits of feather stuck inside a crashed airplane's engines. They needed someone to figure out what bird they belonged to—and how that bird took down a 110,000-pound plane. Enter Roxie Laybourne, a Smithsonian bird expert who not only answered that question, but also invented the science of using feathers to solve bird-related mysteries. This time on Sidedoor, we revisit some of Roxie's greatest cases and learn how she and her team helped keep the friendly skies friendly for both birds and people.
What this episode covers
In 1960, investigators found dark bits of feather stuck inside a crashed airplane's engines. They needed someone to figure out what bird they belonged to—and how that bird took down a 110,000-pound plane. Enter Roxie Laybourne, a Smithsonian bird expert who not only answered that question, but also invented the science of using feathers to solve bird-related mysteries. This time on Sidedoor, we revisit some of Roxie's greatest cases and learn how she and her team helped keep the friendly skies friendly for both birds and people.
NOW PLAYING
The Feather Detective
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Nov 5, 2025 ·38m
Oct 7, 2025 ·56m
Sep 26, 2025 ·17m
Sep 22, 2025 ·32m
Sep 16, 2025 ·42m
Jul 12, 2025 ·31m