Introduction
Have you ever wondered how big the mysterious Dodo bird was? This extinct bird, known scientifically as Raphus cucullatus, was a unique creature that is often misunderstood. Despite its extinction, the Dodo bird is still a topic of interest. Let’s dive into the world of this fascinating bird and discover more about its size, appearance, and its life when it was still around.
How Big was the Dodo Bird?
The Dodo bird was quite a large bird. It stood about 1 metre tall, which is roughly the same height as a yardstick. If you’re having trouble picturing that, think about the size of a large turkey or a toddler. That’s a big bird! In terms of weight, the Dodo bird weighed between 23 and 39 pounds. That’s about the same weight as a medium-sized dog! So, you can imagine the Dodo bird as a turkey-sized bird with the weight of a dog.
The Appearance of The Dodo Bird
The Dodo bird’s exact appearance in life is a bit of a mystery. We only have drawings, paintings, and written accounts from the 17th century to go by. The bird has often been depicted as having brownish-grey plumage, yellow feet, a tuft of tail feathers, a grey, naked head, and a black, yellow, and green beak. Despite its size, the Dodo bird was not a predator. It used gizzard stones to help digest its food, which included mostly fruits. Its preferred habitat was the woods in the drier coastal areas of Mauritius, an island east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.
The Life of The Dodo Bird
The Dodo bird is believed to have become flightless due to the abundance of food sources and lack of predators on Mauritius. Contrary to popular belief, it was not a fat and clumsy bird but was well-adapted to its ecosystem. The Dodo bird was first recorded by Dutch sailors in 1598. Sadly, within less than a century of its discovery, the Dodo bird became extinct due to hunting by sailors and invasive species, as well as habitat destruction. The last confirmed sighting of a Dodo was in 1662.
The Legacy of The Dodo Bird
The extinction of the Dodo bird brought attention to the problem of human involvement in the disappearance of entire species. Today, the Dodo bird is often used as a symbol of extinction and obsolescence. Despite its extinction, the Dodo bird has achieved widespread recognition, partly due to its role in the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Its intriguing size, appearance, and story continue to captivate our imagination.
In Conclusion
The Dodo bird was a unique and fascinating creature. Standing at 1 metre tall and weighing between 23 and 39 pounds, it was a large bird that has left a lasting impression on us. Though it is now extinct, the Dodo bird continues to teach us important lessons about the impact of human actions on other species.