Where did DoDo birds come from?

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a unique, flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius, east of Madagascar. It thrived in the absence of native mammalian predators until the arrival of humans. Dodo birds evolved from ground pigeons that reached Mauritius millions of years ago. Over time, their wings gradually reduced in size due to the abundance of food and lack of predators, making them incapable of flying.

Dodo birds had distinctive physical characteristics. They stood about 1 meter tall and weighed up to 23 kilograms. They had gray-brown plumage, a large, hooked beak, small wings, and short, robust legs. They primarily consumed fruits, but their diet also included other plant materials like seeds and roots. They lived in social groups and are believed to have had complex mating rituals.

Unfortunately, the arrival of humans and introduced species brought about the dodo's demise. Portuguese sailors first recorded their encounter with dodos in 1598. The introduction of domestic animals (cats, dogs, and pigs) by humans, as well as deforestation and hunting, severely impacted the dodo population. It is widely believed that the last confirmed sighting of a dodo occurred in 1662, making it an extinct species today.

The dodo remains an iconic example of species extinction caused by human activities. This flightless bird has become a globally recognized symbol of the impacts of uncontrolled human expansion and ecological change. Efforts are being made to resurrect this extinct species using techniques like DNA sequencing and genetic engineering, although this possibility remains highly speculative.