The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne

"Forensic ornithology is real, and Roxie Laybourne made it happen. This painstaking biography traces the ornithologist’s Smithsonian career from early days restoring samples to being the world’s best bird identifier, assisting with everything from poaching investigations to NASA flights. Though not always comfortable under the pressure of working with law enforcement, Laybourne was an indomitable force, and her passion for birds – through investigation, teaching and conservation – is evident on every page. For those who love niche stories of nature, science and social history, The Feather Detective offers a timely account of a fascinating – and peculiar – ecosystem: one woman, and lots and lots of birds."