What happened to dodo birds?

The dodo bird (Raphus cucullatus) is an extinct flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean. The dodo was approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall and weighed around 10-20 kilograms (22-44 pounds). It had a stocky body, short wings, and a large, hooked beak. The dodo had grey-brown feathers, a white ruff of feathers around its neck, and a tuft of feathers on its tail.

The dodo bird was discovered by Portuguese sailors in the early 16th century. Sailors and explorers reported that dodos were tame, curious, and unafraid of humans. Due to their lack of natural predators, dodos had no fear of humans and were easy to catch. As a result, they quickly became a popular food source for sailors and settlers on Mauritius.

In addition to hunting, the introduction of non-native species such as rats, pigs, and cats further contributed to the decline of the dodo. These introduced species competed with the dodo for food and preyed upon their eggs and young. Habitat destruction, caused by human activities like deforestation, also played a role in their extinction.

The last confirmed sighting of a dodo was in 1662, and the species was officially declared extinct in the late 17th century. The dodo bird became an iconic symbol of extinction and is often used as an example of the detrimental impact of human activities on biodiversity.