The dodo, a bird that was hunted to extinction by humans in the 1600s, has long been portrayed in popular culture as a slow, clumsy creature. This misconception has persisted for centuries, solidifying the dodo’s image as a symbol of ineptness. However, a new study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society sheds light on the true nature of this iconic bird, revealing a powerful and agile creature far removed from the clumsy image it has been given.
Researchers delved into early records and descriptions of the dodo and a closely related species, the solitaire, to dispel the myths surrounding these vanished birds. Their findings challenge the long-held belief that the dodo was a slow, lumbering animal. Mark Young, a researcher and professor at the University of Southampton, stated, “Was the Dodo really the dumb, slow animal we’ve been brought up to believe it was? The few written accounts of live Dodos say it was a fast-moving animal that loved the forest.”
The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) holds a significant place in history as the first documented extinction directly caused by humans and witnessed in real time. Dutch sailors arriving on Mauritius in 1598 found the island teeming with these flightless birds, which stood about 3 feet tall and weighed approximately 45 pounds. As the Dutch colonized the island, they introduced invasive species, cleared forests, destroyed dodo nests, and hunted the birds relentlessly. Within less than 70 years, the species was extinct, with the last recorded sighting in 1662.
The study’s authors sought to clarify the confusion surrounding dodo species, recognizing that early literature often conflated various mythological birds. Through meticulous research, they unearthed early specimens, eyewitness accounts of live dodos, and early taxonomic descriptions, separating fact from fiction. They discovered that while some species, like the Nazarene dodo, were fictional, the solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), often considered mythological, actually existed on the Mauritian island of Rodrigues.
The researchers identified a crucial “type specimen” for the dodo—a preserved specimen serving as a reference for the species. This specimen helped establish that both the dodo and the solitaire belonged to the family that includes pigeons and doves. Examining this type specimen also shed light on the dodo’s physical characteristics, debunking common misconceptions about its appearance and abilities.
The study revealed that the dodo’s powerful tendons, similar to those found in climbing and running birds today, enabled it to move with surprising agility. “Evidence from bone specimens suggests that the Dodo’s tendon which closed its toes was exceptionally powerful, analogous to [those of] climbing and running birds alive today,” stated Neil Gostling, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Southampton. “These creatures were perfectly adapted to their environment.”
Understanding the dodo’s true nature and its role in its ecosystem has significant implications for conservation efforts. While the dodo is currently extinct, scientists with Colossal Biosciences are working to bring it back, hoping to reintroduce it to Mauritius and help stabilize the ecosystem. This ambitious project, along with the company’s efforts to resurrect the woolly mammoth, highlights the growing interest in de-extinction and its potential to restore lost biodiversity. However, these projects also raise ethical concerns that need to be addressed.
The dodo’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of human actions on the natural world. As we learn more about extinct species like the dodo, we gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of life and the importance of conservation efforts to protect biodiversity for future generations.
