Roxie Laybourne and Carla Dove with Black Vulture

Object Details

Date
October 1996
Author
Unknown
Subject
Laybourne, Roxie C. 1910-2003
Dove, Carla J
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.) Division of Birds
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes
With Smithsonian Secretary Alexander Wetmore's encouragement, Laybourne accepted a short-term appointment in 1944 in the Bird Division at the National Museum of Natural History, working with taxidermist Watson Perrygo and curator Herbert Friedmann. Known as the "Feather Lady," Laybourne pioneered the field of forensic ornithology at the Smithsonian Institution by studying the detailed microscopic structure of plumaceous (downy) feather barbules and creating a technique of identifying species of birds from fragmentary feather samples. Her methods revolutionized aviation safety by creating a technique of identifying birds involved in aircraft bird strikes. That work led to the development of the first laboratory in the world dedicated solely to feather identification. The methods she developed are now routinely applied to studies of prey remains, evidence from criminal cases, and anthropological artifacts.
For more images of Roxie Laybourne, see SIA2009-2205, SIA2010-0575, SIA2010-0580, SIA2010-0639, SIA2014-07398, SIA2014-07403, SIA2014-07404, SIA2014-07405, SIA2014-07406, SIA2014-07407, SIA2014-07411, SIA2014-07413, SIA2014-07417, SIA2014-07421, SIA2014-07431, SIA2014-07434, SIA2014-07441, SIA2014-07442, and SIA2014-07448.
Summary
Roxie Laybourne (left) and Carla Dove (right) behind a counter in the Bird Division of the National Museum of Natural History. Carla Dove is holding a study skin of a black vulture. Roxie holds a feather with forceps in her right hand. On the counter in front of them are boxes of feathers and bird remains, a letter, a black wing, and a stack of open envelopes.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 04-086, Box 2, Folder 5
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Topic
Forensic sciences
Ornithologists
Ornithology
Women
Feathers
Birds--Anatomy
Aircraft bird strikes
Smithsonian Institution--Employees
Birds
Biology
Zoological specimens--Collection and preservation
Data Source
Smithsonian Archives - History Div
Standard number
SIA2014-07413
Type
Classification
Photographic print
Group, candid
Restrictions & Rights
No restrictions
Physical description
Number of Images: 1; Color: Color; Size: 6w x 4h; Type of Image: Group, candid; Medium: Photographic print
Record ID
siris_sic_14808