1. Size:
- The dodo was a robust, stocky bird that stood around 1 meter (3 feet) tall and weighed up to 15 to 23 kilograms (33 to 50 pounds).
- It had a large rounded head and beak, and its feathers were a mixture of brown, grey, and white.
2. Diet:
- The dodo bird was primarily frugivorous, meaning its diet mainly consisted of fruits.
- It used its powerful hooked beak to consume fallen fruits that were abundant in the forests of Mauritius.
- Fruits from several native plants, including the Calvaria major (tambalacoque tree), are believed to have been part of the dodo's diet.
3. Habitat and Behavior:
- The dodo bird inhabited the dense forests and coastal regions of Mauritius.
- It was believed to be a social species and lived in small flocks or groups.
- As flightless birds, dodos primarily moved on foot and were slow-moving in nature.
4. Breeding and Nesting:
- Dodos likely bred throughout the year, with a peak in the warmer months from August to November.
- They built their nests on the ground, using leaves and twigs as nesting materials.
- Female dodos laid a single egg, which was incubated by both parents for about 50 to 55 days.
5. Extinction:
- The main reason for the dodo bird's extinction was human activity.
- Sailors and explorers reached Mauritius in the 16th century, introducing predators like dogs, pigs, cats, and rats that had a devastating impact on the dodo's eggs, chicks, and even adult birds.
- Humans also hunted dodos for food, leading to their rapid population decline.
- The last recorded sighting of a dodo bird was in 1662, and it became extinct sometime around the end of the 17th century.
The dodo bird is an iconic example of human-induced species extinction, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species and their habitats.