An engineer’s guide to birds
MIT materials engineer Lorna Gibson has written a book titled "Birds Up Close," which examines the mechanics and materials science behind bird anatomy and abilities, including feathers, bones, flight, and more. Aimed primarily at birders, the book makes scientific concepts accessible to general readers while drawing on Gibson's decades of engineering expertise. The work highlights how structural features in birds enable remarkable functions such as silent flight, iridescence, and long-distance migration.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
In her new book, “Birds Up Close,” MIT materials engineer Lorna Gibson explores feathers, bones, bills, eggs, and flight, and the mechanics behind birds’ extraordinary abilities. Jason Sparapani | Department of Materials Science and Engineering Publication Date: April 30, 2026 Press Inquiries Press Contact: Jason Sparapani Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 253-1581 MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering Close Caption: Some 96 million people in the U.S. — about one in three Americans — consider themselves birders, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With her new book, Professor Lorna Gibson is excited to share her knowledge with that community.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at MIT News.