Feathered Wonders: From Disease Defense to Fashion Trends

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The chapter delves into the intricate details of feathers on birds, discussing topics such as feather loss, molting seasons, growth of new feathers, and the challenges faced by bird watchers in identifying bird species based on plumage variations. It explains how waterproof feathers work on birds, focusing on species like puffins and penguins that spend a lot of time in water. Additionally, the conversation touches on the unique qualities of emu feathers, flightless bird plumage evolution, and the ethical aspects of using feathers in fashion.

Plumage! Sexy dances! Feather heists! Possible holographic disco birds? Natural History Museum of LA ornithology curator Dr. Allison Shultz is a professional plumologist aka feather expert. We visit the museum’s collection of rare specimens and chat about everything from fossilized dinosaur feathers to silent owl flight to furry bird legs to why pigeons are so loud, peacock tails, down parkas, quill pens, heavy metal flautists, feather thieves, pigments, flight feathers, Vantablack, if you can eat feathers and why birdwatching is like seeing tiny purple raccoons zoom overhead. Birds: like Pokemon Go but weirder.

Visit Dr. Allison Shultz’s website allisonshultz.com and follow twitter.com/ajshultz622

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Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

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