Dodo

NICOBAR PIGEON (8551073077)

Oxford Dodo foot

View of the Mauritius roadstead - engraving

Lophopsittacus.mauritianus

Dodo size comparison

Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest genetic relative was the also extinct Rodrigues solitaire, the two forming the subfamily Raphinae of the family of pigeons and doves. The first recorded mention of the dodo was by Dutch sailors in 1598. In the following years, the bird was hunted to extinction by sailors and their domesticated animals, and invasive species introduced during that time. The last widely accepted sighting of a dodo was in 1662.

Description

The dodo was about 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) tall and weighed about 10.6–17.5 kg (23–39 lb). The bird had blue-grey plumage, a 23-centimeter (9-inch) blackish bill with a hooked point, very small wings unable to provide flight, and a tuft of curly feathers high on its rear end. The dodo's appearance has been reconstructed from paintings, sketches, and written accounts from the 17th century, but these can vary considerably in their depiction of the bird, leading to some uncertainty about its exact appearance.

Extinction

The extinction of the dodo within less than a century of its discovery called attention to the impact humans have on the environment. It became a symbol of an extinct species due to human activity. Factors contributing to its extinction included overhunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of non-native animals that competed for food resources or directly preyed on the dodo. The dodo's inability to fly and lack of fear towards humans made it particularly vulnerable to hunters.

Legacy

The dodo has become a fixture in popular culture, often symbolizing extinct or outdated things. Its significance as a symbol of extinction was recognized as early as the 19th century. The phrase "dead as a dodo" means undoubtedly and unquestionably dead. The dodo also appears in literature, most famously in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, where it is thought to represent the author himself.

Research and Rediscovery

Interest in the dodo, which had largely faded after its extinction, was revived in the 19th century when scientists began to study extinction as a concept. The discovery of dodo remains, including bones and fossils, has allowed researchers to learn more about the bird's life, its habitat on Mauritius, and the circumstances of its extinction. Ongoing research continues to shed light on the life and times of the dodo, providing a cautionary tale about the impact of human activity on the environment and other species.

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