Dodos

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless bird in the pigeon family (Columbidae) endemic to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It stood about one meter tall with a bulky body, a large hooked bill, short wings, and a short tail. Its plumage was dull grey-brown, and the bird was largely terrestrial, spending most of its time on the forest floor.

Ecology and behavior: The dodo likely fed on fruits and seeds, and perhaps roots or nuts, foraging on the ground. With few natural predators on Mauritius, it had little fear of humans. It laid eggs on the ground and nested in sheltered vegetation, which made its reproductive cycle vulnerable to disturbance.

Discovery and extinction: The dodo was first described by Dutch sailors in 1598. Within decades, hunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of non-native mammals such as rats, cats, dogs, and pigs led to rapid declines. The last widely documented sighting occurred in the 1660s, and by the end of the 17th century the species had become extinct.

Taxonomy and legacy: The dodo is classified in the Columbidae family, genus Raphus. Subfossil bones and a small number of preserved remains inform its anatomy. The dodo remains a prominent symbol of human-caused extinction and is often cited in discussions of island biogeography and conservation biology.