- Size and Appearance: The dodo bird was a large, plump bird, with an estimated weight ranging between 10-15 kilograms. It had a large, rounded body, small wings that were incapable of flight, and a long, thick, and hooked beak.
- Distinctive Feather: Dodos had a covering of soft, brownish-grey feathers, with some individuals displaying lighter colored feathers on the wings and tail. They lacked the typical flight feathers found in other bird species, making them completely flightless.
- Beak and Head Structure: The dodo's beak was oversized, with a distinctive hooked tip, and was well-adapted for digging through leaf litter and soil to find food. It had a large, round head, lacking a crown of feathers, and possessed small eyes and a tooth-like projection at the tip of its upper mandible.
- Diet: Dodos were omnivores, feeding primarily on fruits, seeds, nuts, and other vegetation. They used their powerful beaks to dig up roots and tubers, and their gizzard helped grind down the tough plant material they consumed.
- Habitat and Behavior: The dodo bird was found exclusively in the dense forests of Mauritius. These birds lived in small social groups and were not territorial. They were slow-moving and ground-dwelling, relying on their camouflage and lack of natural predators for protection.
- Extinction: The arrival of humans and invasive species, such as rats, pigs, and cats, drastically altered the Mauritius ecosystem and brought about the dodo's extinction. Excessive hunting and habitat destruction further contributed to the rapid decline of their population. The dodo became extinct around the year 1662, leaving behind only historical accounts, illustrations, and skeletal remains for scientists to study.