Photo : martin
Conference: Birds Inspire Us
A lecture by Anick Abourachid. What if birds had a lot to teach us about our own way of inhabiting the world and innovating?
Bibliothèque Claire Bretécher (Paris 10th)
Part of the Automne de la science 2026 programme
This event has ended.
About
Descendants of dinosaurs, birds present an extraordinary diversity of behaviors and occupy almost every environment on the planet. Yet, behind this apparent variety, their bodies remain very similar. How could a single anatomical architecture give rise to such a multiplicity of life forms? How can this formidable capacity for adaptation be explained? Recent advances in functional morphology allow us to better understand this exceptional evolutionary success. They reveal how, over the course of evolution, birds have developed solutions that are at once simple, robust, and ingenious for moving, feeding, communicating, or interacting with their environment.
Anick Abourachid is a professor of functional morphology at the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN). She is a researcher within the Adaptive Mechanisms and Evolution research unit (Mecadev UMR7179) CNRS-MNHN. She is interested in the shape of animals in relation to their mode and environment of life in an evolutionary context. She seeks to understand the morphological adaptations that, throughout evolution, have allowed vertebrates to use the physical properties of their environment to inhabit all environments on the planet. She collaborates with roboticists to validate her hypotheses and propose robust and energy-efficient innovative technological solutions.
Our take on this event
Take a deep dive into the evolutionary secrets of birds, the ultimate heirs to the dinosaurs, and uncover how they mastered every environment on Earth. Through the eyes of a specialist, you will discover the brilliant structural innovations that allow them to thrive from the skies to the forests. It is an eye-opening journey that bridges the gap between ancient biology and modern robotics.
Discover the secrets behind avian success at the lecture Les oiseaux nous inspirent, held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Claire Bretécher library. Professor Anick Abourachid from the National Museum of Natural History explores how these descendants of dinosaurs have mastered every environment on Earth through unique morphological adaptations. This free event, suitable for ages 12 and up, offers a fascinating look at the evolutionary strategies that allow birds to move, feed, and interact with their surroundings. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring an inclusive experience for all attendees in the 10th arrondissement.
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:30, the Claire Bretécher library hosts an engaging lecture on the evolutionary wonders of birds. Anick Abourachid, a professor of functional morphology at the National Museum of Natural History and researcher at the Mecadev unit, examines the biological mechanisms that have enabled such extraordinary diversity from a single anatomical blueprint.
During the session, you will explore how birds have developed robust and energy-efficient solutions for survival, communication, and movement. The professor will share her research on morphological adaptations and discuss how her collaborations with roboticists draw inspiration from nature to propose innovative technological solutions.
This event is open to participants aged 12 and older and is completely free of charge. Located at 11 rue de Lancry in Paris' 10th arrondissement, the library is wheelchair accessible. Join us for this evening of scientific exploration into the remarkable adaptive capabilities of the avian world.
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