Book about sentience

[Invisobel]

Hello all, I joined this forum so I could hopefully maintain my sanity. I've been wracking my brain trying to remember the name of the book. It is set some time in the future, there is a women who flies a sentient ship. She's able to speak to it using subvocalization. She wears an outfit that has camo and texture changing ability. She is sent to determine if a native species of bird might be sentient and eventually figures out they communicate through ripples in their feathers. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[beenorthern]

*Hellspark* by Janet Kagan. That's my first thought, anyway.

 

[Invisobel]

Oh Good LORD that's the one. Thank you so much. I don't even remember where I read it or when. Thanks again.