Chapter 1: The Dodo's Legacy

The dodo bird stands as one of the few extinct species from modern history that has left a lasting mark on our culture. Officially declared extinct in 1662, this bird continues to capture our imagination through various forms of media, from literature to television. Despite its ongoing presence in popular culture, many misconceptions about its nature have persisted over time. Often, the dodo is depicted as a foolish and defenseless creature, leading to its demise. However, should we reconsider this narrative and show a bit of compassion for these plump, flightless birds?

First, let's delve into some background information about these unique creatures. The dodo was native exclusively to Mauritius, an island located east of Madagascar. Fossil evidence suggests that the dodo stood slightly over 3 feet tall and could weigh as much as 39 pounds. Regardless of their precise size, it is clear they were not small birds. The exact appearance of the dodo remains somewhat elusive, as only a handful of illustrations are confirmed to be based on live specimens. However, from these images and preserved remains, we know the dodo possessed a bare, vulture-like face and brownish-grey feathers. Adapted to a life without flight, the dodo thrived on Mauritius, where plentiful food sources and a lack of predators rendered flight unnecessary. Interestingly, the dodo belonged to the Columbidae family, which includes pigeons. It shared many anatomical features with its relatives, such as a large crop and the use of gizzard stones for food processing.

The dodo’s closest extinct relative was the Rodrigues solitaire, which was even larger and less known. With the Rodrigues solitaire gone, the nearest living relative of the dodo is the Nicobar pigeon, another sizeable bird measuring around 16 inches long. What insights can we gain about the dodo from studying its closest living kin?

A beautifully iridescent Nicobar pigeon on its nest. Photo: 70154 via Pixabay

The Nicobar pigeon shares similarities with the dodo, including a substantial size and a prominent beak. However, it possesses a crucial advantage: the ability to fly. This species typically lays a single egg in a loosely constructed nest, paralleling claims about the dodo's nesting habits, though confirmation is lacking. Unlike the dodo, the Nicobar pigeon showcases vibrant plumage. The most striking contrast to the dodo’s image is found in the intelligence of other pigeon species. While direct research on the Nicobar pigeon’s cognitive abilities is limited due to its elusive nature (approximately 1,000 remain in the wild), studies on other members of the Columbidae family—particularly the common rock pigeon—indicate notable intelligence. Pigeons have demonstrated the ability to differentiate between Monet and Picasso paintings and have successfully passed the "mirror test," a challenging task for many non-primates. Additionally, pigeons have played significant roles in wartime communication and have even shown proficiency in games like ping-pong.

Photo: Yu-chuan Hsu via Unsplash

Recent findings indicate that dodos may have possessed cognitive abilities comparable to those of their streetwise pigeon relatives. A well-preserved dodo specimen from the American Museum of Natural History underwent a CT scan, alongside skulls from seven other pigeon species. The results revealed that the dodo's brain size, in relation to its body, was similar to that of other documented intelligent species. This discovery suggests that dodos may have been as clever as the pigeons we are familiar with today.

The skull of a collared dove, another member of the Columbidae family. Photo: Illuvis via Pixabay

How then did the dodo earn its reputation for foolishness? Portuguese sailors first encountered the dodo around 1507, marking the beginning of its decline. The large, flightless bird had adapted to a life with few predators, leading to a lack of caution. The arrival of sailors brought invasive species, which the dodo was ill-equipped to confront. Rather than being foolish, the dodo’s vulnerability stemmed from its inexperience with threats. As these introduced animals—such as pigs, dogs, and rats—began to prey on the dodo's eggs, the species quickly faced population decline. Given that it’s believed dodos likely laid only one egg at a time, their numbers dwindled rapidly due to human activity and the invasive species brought to their island.

A model of the dodo’s assumed appearance. Photo: 134213 via Pixabay

The extinction of the dodo serves as a cautionary tale—a lesson that has largely gone unheeded. Invasive species introduced by humans continue to disrupt ecosystems and threaten various species. For example, outdoor cats are estimated to kill between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds and 6.9 to 20.7 billion mammals each year. Regrettably, despite the tragic fate of the misunderstood dodo, it seems we have learned very little over the centuries.

Chapter 2: New Insights from the Dodo

This video explores newly uncovered evidence suggesting that dodo birds may not have been as foolish as previously believed, shedding light on their behavior and ecology.

In this video, we delve into the true nature of the dodo bird, examining what we know and the misconceptions that surround this iconic extinct species.