The dodo was a flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Mauritius, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo lived in forests and was about 1 meter (3 feet) tall. It had a large, hooked beak, small wings, and a long, bushy tail. The dodo was a herbivore and ate fruits, seeds, and leaves. It was also known to eat insects and small animals.
The dodo was first discovered by Portuguese sailors in the 16th century. The sailors were amazed by the dodo's appearance and called it the "dodo," which is Portuguese for "fool" or "simpleton." The dodo was not a particularly intelligent bird, and it was slow and easy to catch. As a result, the dodo was hunted to extinction by humans and other animals within a few decades of its discovery.
The last dodo was seen in 1662. The species is now extinct.