THE EXTINCTION OF THE DODO BIRD

The dodo was a large flightless bird which used to inhabit the island of Mauritius.

History

●   1507 – Portuguese ships transporting  stopped at the island to collect food and water.

●   1638 – The Dutch established a  on the island.

●   They killed the dodo birds for their meat.

●   The last one was killed in 1681.

Description

●   The only record we have is written descriptions and pictures (possibly unreliable).

●   A Dutch painting suggests the dodo was very 

●   The only remaining soft tissue is a dried

●   Recent studies of a dodo skeleton suggest the birds were capable of rapid  .

●   It`s thought they were able to use their small wings to maintain  .

●   Their  was of average size.

●   Their sense of  enabled them to find food.

Reasons for extinction

●   Hunting was probably not the main cause.

●   Sailors brought dogs and monkeys.

●    also escaped onto the island and ate the birds` eggs.

●   The arrival of farming meant the  was destroyed.